Rhea Paiva, Jillian Bartley lead Centennial softball to 14-1 win
By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal
Centennial’s Abby Hanley (12) scores a run past Faith Lutheran’s Ellie Fried (12) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Natasha Lawrence (3) looks to steal third base past Faith Lutheran’s Maggie Whipple (11) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial pitcher Deanna Barrera (6) throws to first base get out Faith Lutheran’s Ellie Fried, right, during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Rhea Paiva (2) heads for home plate to score a run during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Faith Lutheran’s Audrey Kirsch (20) scores a run against Centennial during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Samantha Lawrence (10) catches a fly ball to get out Faith Lutheran’s Sophie Foster, not pictured, during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Ashlynn Heck (8) gets to second base safely against Faith Lutheran’s Maggie Whipple (11) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Faith Lutheran pitcher Skye Landaz (3) talks with Faith Lutheran catcher Ellie Fried (12) as they play Centennial during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Deanna Barrera (6) pitches to Faith Lutheran during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Kiana Tate (4) throws to first base after getting out Faith Lutheran’s Grace Hornsby (4) at second during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Jillian Bartley (7) hits the ball during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Samantha Lawrence (10) scores a run past Faith Lutheran’s Ellie Fried (12) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Abby Hanley (12) celebrates her run with Centennial’s Seanna Simpson (5) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Faith Lutheran’s Natalie Behmer (7) makes it to first base against Centennial’s Samantha Lawrence (10) during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Centennial’s Natasha Lawrence (3) scores a run during a softball game at Faith Lutheran in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Centennial won 14-1. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
The first pitch of Tuesday’s game flew all the way to the track. It landed in the left fielder’s mitt, but it was still a sign of the offensive show Centennial softball was about to put on.
The Bulldogs laced 14 hits and Rhea Paiva and Jillian Bartley each knocked in three runs as Centennial blasted host Faith Lutheran, 14-1.
“I felt like I helped my team get the win today,” Paiva said. “We have a good team and I think we’ll stay in the winning column the rest of the season.”
Paiva finished 3-for-5 with three runs and a double, and Bartley’s two-run homer in the second chased the Crusaders’ starter after just four outs. Kiana Tate doubled in the first, but other than that, Centennial (4-3, 2-0 Northwest League) hit 11 singles, drew six walks and benefited from four Faith Lutheran errors.
Left-handed pitcher Deanna Barrera surrendered just one run and five hits across seven innings. She effectively used a change-up, struck out five and retired 10 in a row from the first to the fifth innings.
“We expect a good game out of her every time she goes out,” Centennial coach Mike Livreri said.
Faith Lutheran (3-4, 0-2) attempted a rally in the fifth where it scored its only run, but failed to tag up from third on a deep fly to right with one out and stranded two in the frame. In the sixth the Crusaders ran into the same issue, getting the first two batters on base, but left two on base in the inning.
The Bulldogs scored six in the second and five in the seventh for their first double-digit scoring output of the year.
“Everybody hit a little bit,” Livreri said. “This is where the season starts. We just got back form a tournament where it doesn’t matter. These games matter, so it’s great to be 2-0.”
