Adjustments pay off for patient Cougars

The first words out of Coronado softball coach Missy Krueger’s mouth after her team finished its regular season Friday praised the Cougars on their ability to make adjustments.

The Cougars learned from collecting just one hit the first two times through the batting order and applied that knowledge to perfection, starting the third trip through with four consecutive hits on their way to a 6-3 home win over Spring Valley.

“We’ve been preaching that all year to the girls to just make the adjustments, and for the most part, they’ve done a really good job of it,” Krueger said. “A team being able to make the adjustments is key. As long as you can shake off your at-bats and make adjustments, good things will happen.”

Spring Valley pitcher Michaela Hood limited Coronado (22-12) to one hit through 4 1/3 innings before Tatum Spangler started the string of hits with a sharp single to center field. Alexis Okamura, who had walked to start the inning, moved to third on the play.

After Spangler advanced to second, Dylan Underwood followed with a two-run single to left-center. Basia Query had an infield hit, and Sarah Pinkston ripped a two-run double to left-center as Coronado, which took advantage of early mistakes by the Grizzlies, built its lead to 6-1.

“The third time through the order, they really figured it out and had good approaches at the plate,” Krueger said.

The Grizzlies (17-7) got two runs back in the sixth inning, but Spangler induced a double-play grounder to end the threat.

Coronado struck out eight times in the first four innings against Hood but still had a 2-1 lead entering the fifth.

Spangler struck out but reached base on a wild pitch to lead off the bottom of the first and later scored when Pinkston struck out and reached base on a wild pitch to take a 1-0 lead.

Underwood’s bunt single with two outs in the third inning was thrown into the right-field corner, and Underwood rounded the bases to give Coronado a 2-0 lead.

“You have to take advantage of opportunities when they’re there,” Krueger said.

Jillian James and Spangler combined on a five-hitter for the Cougars, who will open Sunrise Region tournament play against Valley at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Coronado.

Ellie Endsley was 2-for-3 with two runs, and Madison Hood went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI for Spring Valley, which visits Sunrise Mountain at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to start the Division I-A Southern Region playoffs.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.