Six-run outburst leads VV to win

Virgin Valley exploded for six runs in the bottom of the first inning to help propel the Lady Bulldogs softball team to a 15-5 victory over Moapa Valley in the first of a home-and-home series between the rivals on Tuesday, March 31, at blustery Bulldog Field.

The Pirates’ injury woes continued on the first play of the game, Tuesday. MVHS head coach Stacie Stilson informed that freshman Presley Adams slipped on first base and was lost for the season. “I don’t think the team settled in after that,” she added.

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard Tuesday in the less-than-ideal playing conditions. Mady Wright singled, with Raylynn Woods and Julia Leavitt drawing walks to load the bases for Davie Jo Slack. The senior delivered by driving a ball to the left-field fence for a triple that cleared the bases. Hayden Owsley brought in Slack with a single to make it 4-0.

Singles by Ava Noel and Ashlynn Jackson brought home Owsley, with Noel scoring on a wild pitch to cap the six-run outburst. Virgin Valley tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Woods was hit by a pitch followed by consecutive walks to Leavitt, Slack and Owsley to force in a run. After Leavitt scored on a wild pitch, Jackson’s ground out to shortstop scored Slack from third base.

The Lady Pirates scored a run in the top of the third when Saphire Holm singled and came around to score on an RBI single by Claire Holm.

Virgin Valley scored three more times in the bottom of the fourth to push their advantage to 12-1.

Leavitt led things off by blasting a home run over the center-field fence. Slack singled, and Kamzlee Dalton was hit by a pitch. Jackson drove home both runners by ripping a triple to right field.

Moapa Valley scored four runs in the top of the fifth. Irelynn Carlton singled and scored on a double to center field by Meg Evans. After Claire Holm was hit by a pitch, Kylie Neil’s ground ball was misplayed that allowed two runs to score. Shelby Cornwall doubled and Alayna Bennett walked to help set up the final run.

The Lady Bulldogs completed the sweep by defeating the Lady Pirates, 12-5, Thursday afternoon in Overton. With the two wins, Virgin Valley is now 2-2 in 3A Desert League play and 10-8 overall. Moapa Valley is now 0-2 in league and 6-7 overall.

Virgin Valley will meet Boulder City in a home-and-home league series this upcoming week. The Lady Bulldogs will host Tuesday’s first game at 3:30 p.m. at Bulldog Field with the return game set for Thursday in Boulder City at Bravo Field at 3:30 p.m.