The Virgin Valley High School softball team opened 3A Desert League play against Pahrump Valley last week in a showdown of two contenders that are expected to battle for the top seed heading into postseason play. The Lady Bulldogs, unfortunately, came out on the short end of both contests, dropping a 4-0 decision to the Lady Trojans at Pahrump on Wednesday, March 25, and falling 6-2 at home on Friday, the 27th.

The two losses leave Virgin Valley at 0-2 in league play and at 8-8 overall as they prepare to face rival Moapa Valley, another contender for the top spot, in a two-game series this week.

Virgin Valley ran into a hot pitcher against Pahrump Valley. Freshman Jaycie Hayes struck out 15 Lady Bulldog batters in Wednesday’s shutout win and then followed up by fanning 12 Virgin Valley batters on Friday.

Freshman hurler Ryleigh Woods pitched a complete game in defeat for the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday, allowing just four hits, walking two batters and striking out one. One of the hits allowed was a home run to Riley Saldana that keyed a three-run fifth inning for Pahrump Valley.

Woods, along with Raylynn Woods, Julia Leavitt, Davie Jo Slack and Mira Vallejo, all collected base hits for Virgin Valley.

In Friday’s contest, the Lady Bulldogs spotted the Lady Trojans a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning before bouncing back to score twice in the bottom of the frame.

Maddy Wright singled and came around to score on Raylynn Woods’ RBI double. Woods scored later in the inning on a passed ball.

Pahrump Valley pushed across a run in the top of the third and then put the game away by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth. The big hit was a two-run double by Hayes.

Leavitt pitched well in defeat for the Lady Bulldogs, giving up six hits, walking five and striking out six.

The Lady Bulldogs will host Moapa Valley Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Bulldog Field, with the return game set for Thursday in Overton at 3:30 p.m. at Pirate Field.

Virgin Valley will face Boulder City in a two-game set April 7 in Mesquite and April 9 in Boulder City.