By BOB SNELL
Yhe Progress
It may seem strange to hold a Senior Day in the middle of the season, but for three Virgin Valley seniors, Friday, April 5 would be the last time they would play at Bulldog Diamond.
Because the Clark County School District is ripping up the grass and replacing it with artificial turf on all softball and baseball fields in the district, Fridays rivalry game against Moapa Valley would be the last game played at VVHS this season.
The Lady Bulldogs made sure it would be a memorable final “home” game as they rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to erase a two-run deficit and post a 9-7 victory over the Lady Pirates on a cold and blustery afternoon in Mesquite.
The win keeps the Lady Bulldogs unbeaten on the season as they improved to 18-0 overall and 5-0 in the 3A South Desert League. The loss dropped Moapa Valley to 13-8 and 4-1.
“We knew it would be a battle against a very good Moapa team,” VVHS head coach Travis Griffiths said. “We’re extremely proud of our girls for battling back and getting the win. It was a hard fought game.”
Moapa Valley seemed to have the upper hand, leading 7-5 in the bottom of the fifth and just seven outs away from a big win. With two out and nobody on base, Virgin Valley’s Ashley Anguiano grounded a ball up the middle for a single. That hit would awaken the Lady Bulldogs’ bats.
Reggi Frei followed with a double to score Anguiano and Natalie Plancarte’s fly ball was misplayed for a two-base error that allowed Frei to come home with the tying run. Julia Leavitt doubled to left-center field, scoring Plancarte and Ana Tausinga doubled over the bag at third and down the left-field line to bring in Leavitt, putting Virgin Valley up 9-7.
With the momentum now shifted, Leavitt, who went the distance inside the circle, retired six of the final seven Moapa Valley batters to close out the victory.
“It was a great game to honor our three seniors (Frei, Plancarte and Tausinga),” Griffiths said. “It was also fun to see our younger ladies continue to get better.”
Frei and Leavitt each had three hits to lead Virgin Valley while Davie Slack had two doubles and drove in three runs. Tausinga also had two hits with an RBI.
Virgin Valley’s three remaining home games (April 15, 16 and 18) are scheduled to be played at city owned Hunter Sports Park.
“The district put us on alert that our field will be off limits beginning April 15,” Griffiths said. “We’re making plans to transition to Hunter Park. We’ll see what transpires in the next few days. It would be nice to finish the season on our home field.”
The Lady Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the first when Gracie Fullman drew a walk and Andie Wood followed by crushing a ball over the center field-fence for a two-run homer.
Virgin Valley would answer in the bottom of the frame scoring four runs on consecutive two-out hits by Leavitt, Tausinga, Slack, Hayden Owsley and Mercedes Jordan.
Moapa Valley scored twice in the third to pull even at 4-4. Raegan Stankosky and Wood singled with both scoring on a single to center by Kyndal Longman.
The Lady Pirates went back in front, 5-4, scoring a run in the top of the fourth. Emmy Cornwall drew a walk and advanced to third on a Virgin Valley fielding error. Stankosky’s single brought home Cornwall.
The Lady Bulldogs got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Frei walked, stole second and scored on Slack’s double.
In the Moapa Valley fifth, Longman singled and Myka Martinsen drew a walk. Ariceli Castillo’s fielder’s choice ground ball scored Longman and a throwing error allowed Martinsen to also score, giving the Lady Pirates a 7-5 advantage.
Longman and Wood each had two hits and drove in two runs for the Lady Pirates while Stankosky had two hits and an RBI.
The Bulldogs go on the road this week playing Mater East on Tuesday, Apr. 9, then Cheyenne on Friday and Pahranagat Valley on Saturday. The team hosts Western High School on Monday Apr. 15 starting at 3:30 pm.
The Pirates will have Fair weekend off and will come back to host Cheyenne on Monday April 15 starting at 3:30 pm.
