Bulldogs Win Tournament

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

The Virgin Valley High School Softball team was declared the winner of the annual Sherm Bennett Memorial Softball Tournament last weekend, despite the fact that a scheduled championship game was never played.

The bizarre ending came about when a winter storm warning issued for Northern Nevada caused teams from Lowry of Winnemucca, and Elko, to leave early on Saturday morning in an attempt to get home safely before the storm hit.

Saturday’s championship game between Virgin Valley and Lowry, along with the third-place game between Elko and Spring Valley of Las Vegas, were not played.

Ironically, a heavy snowstorm that forced Elko to arrive in Mesquite on Thursday instead of Wednesday, caused Elko to miss its first pool-play game against Moapa Valley on Thursday morning.
Despite not getting a chance to play in the title contest, Virgin Valley went 4-0 overall in the three-day tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated Lowry, 5-1, on Thursday morning in pool play. The team then followed up with victories over Legacy of North Las Vegas, 19-1; and Lincoln County of Panaca, 20-0, later in the day.

Riley Price threw two complete games inside the circle for the Lady Bulldogs during tournament play. The senior scattered two hits, walked three and struck out six against Lowry. She gave up two hits while walking one and striking out five against Spring Valley.

Reggi Frei, who collected nine hits with two doubles, a triple and four RBIs in the tournament, also pitched a three-inning no-hitter against Lincoln County.

VVHS freshman Davie Slack had four hits, including two doubles, and drove in five runs in the win over Legacy.

Destiny Moaei added three hits and three RBI while Gracie Alejos added two hits and three RBI. Freshman Julia Leavitt went the distance inside the circle giving up four hits, walking four and striking out four.

Brooklin Montoya homered to lead the way against Lincoln County. Frei and Leavitt hit triples while Natalie Plancarte and Ana Tausinga each had a double. Slack had two hits, scored three runs and drove in two.

Moapa Valley also participated in the tournament going 1-3 overall. The Lady Pirates opened play Friday, falling to Spring Valley, 16-2. But they bounced back to defeat Pahrump Valley, 12-11. MVHS dropped a 10-8 decision to Legacy on Friday night.
The Lady Pirates lost to Pahrump Valley, 9-1, on Saturday morning in bracket play.

Moapa Valley’s win over Pahrump on Friday went back-and-forth. The Lady Pirates jumped out to a 6-1 lead after three innings of play and then increased their advantage to 11-4 heading into the final frame of play.
The Lady Trojans, however, rallied to score seven runs to pull even at 11-all.

Moapa Valley came back in the bottom half of the frame to pull out the victory. Emma Gollahan led off with a double to center field and Andie Wood followed with a double to left driving in Gollahan to give the Lady Pirates the walkoff win.

Wood had three hits for MVHS in the victory along with Rielie O’hara. Wood also had two hits and drove in three runs in the loss to Legacy. Lexi Fullman also had two hits and three RBI and Reagan Stankowski also collected a pair of hits.