Palo Verde’s Williams, Sweeney tame Bulldogs

Centennial’s softball team has made a living pounding opponents into submission in recent years.

On Saturday, Palo Verde’s Rachel Williams and Kelsea Sweeney made it difficult for the Bulldogs just to get the ball out of the infield.

Williams and Sweeney combined on a three-hitter as the Panthers silenced Centennial 4-1 in the Sunset Region final at Bishop Gorman.

Palo Verde (30-6) advances to the Division I state tournament, which begins Thursday at UNR’s Hixson Field. Centennial (29-8) had won the past two large-school state titles, including defeating Palo Verde 13-0 in last year’s title game.

“We just had a plan from start to finish,” Palo Verde senior catcher Brooke Stover said. “We were fearless. No matter what, we knew we were going to win the ballgame.

“Centennial has great hitters, a great team, but ultimately, it’s about strategy. Centennial will capitalize on any mistake over the plate, and that’s something my pitchers didn’t do. They did a great job just hitting spots.”

Centennial, which entered the game averaging nearly nine runs per game and with a total of 149 extra-base hits, hit just five balls out of the infield — three routine fly balls, a sharp single and a bounding leadoff hit by Sonja Lawrence in the first inning that led to the Bulldogs’ run.

Williams allowed two first-inning singles, and the Bulldogs didn’t get another hit until Savannah Horvath’s leadoff infield single in the seventh.

“We were super-duper smart with their heavy hitters,” Palo Verde coach Kelly Glass said. “Lauren Stroman, Heather Bowen and Savannah Horvath, it’s not a secret that they are three of the top hitters in the state. In order to beat (Centennial), we had to beat those three.”

Williams struck out two and walked one in three innings, and Sweeney gave up one hit, hit one batter and struck out three, including the final out.

The Panthers didn’t exactly sting the ball, either, but they took advantage of three Centennial miscues to score four unearned runs during the second inning.

“That really hurt us,” Centennial coach Mike Livreri said. “I don’t believe they would have even scored. It would be a 1-0 ballgame we’re talking about right now. I really believe that. I liked our energy coming into the game, but it just didn’t translate onto the field.”

The Bulldogs committed errors on grounders by each of the first two batters in the second inning before Stover’s RBI double tied the game.

Haley Harrison then struck out but beat the throw to first base when the pitch was dropped. Kiley Harrison added an RBI single, and Melissa Lacro had a two-out, two-run single for Palo Verde, which lost to Centennial twice during the regular season but beat the Bulldogs twice during the postseason.

“Our goal from the beginning was to peak at the right time,” Glass said. “We just wanted to get better every day.”

Maddie Jones and Cheyenne Cudahy combined on a six-hitter for Centennial, which will miss the state tournament for the first time since 2010.

SUNRISE REGION

Foothill center fielder Kelsey McFarland has been frustrated with her performance, so frustrated she even has apologized to her team for the subpar results.

But in the biggest moment of the season Saturday, McFarland delivered.

The senior smacked a two-run double with two outs in the seventh inning as the host Falcons grabbed the Sunrise Region title with a 3-2 victory over Coronado.

It appeared the Cougars (23-16-1) were going to force a second game, as Danielle Amato hit a bloop two-run single in the top of the seventh to give Coronado a 2-1 lead.

But the Falcons (20-13) answered. Daryan Meade opened the seventh with a single, went to second on a passed ball and then to third on Hannah Stevens’ infield hit. Stevens then took second on defensive indifference.

One out later, McFarland ripped an Amato pitch off the left-field wall, and the celebration began.

“All I wanted to do was put a good swing on the ball,” McFarland said. “I took a deep breath and stayed patient. When I saw it go into the gap, I knew we would score both runs. It’s not just me; it was a total team effort.”

McFarland surely did her part, driving in all three runs. Her two-out single in the fifth scored Alexia Campbell and gave Foothill a 1-0 lead.

“We usually have to fight in this tournament, not playing from the undefeated side,” Foothill coach Tom Mayes said. “It was a special effort by the girls, and they stayed focused, especially once we fell behind. It’s a great feeling knowing you are going to state.”

Down 1-0, Coronado made the most of its final at-bat. Dylan Underwood drew a walk off Foothill’s Sarah Penksa. After Lauren Buck struck out, Jaiden Johnson walked, and the Cougars had two runners on base for only the second time in the game.

Brooke Younie moved the runners to second and third with a ground-out. Amato then blooped a single over the outstretched glove of second baseman Campbell and Coronado led 2-1.

“Danielle has been clutch all year,” Coronado coach Melissa Kruger said. “This team doesn’t quit, and it’s led by the example of our seniors. Danielle is what Coronado softball is all about. But this hurts, that we came really close.”

DIVISION I-A SOUTHERN REGION

Pahrump Valley’s softball team lost twice to Boulder City during the regular season but figured out how to beat the Eagles when it mattered most.

Whitney Roderick tossed a complete game with seven strikeouts, and Amanda Pryor hit a grand slam to propel the Trojans to a 6-4 win over the Eagles in the Division I-A Southern Region championship at Faith Lutheran.

Both teams advance to the state tournament, which begins Thursday in Reno.

“Fourth time seeing Boulder, and they’re a great team, always competitive,” Pahrump coach Eli Armendariz said. “They’ve all been close, competitive games, and that’s what we’re looking for heading into state.”

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, the Trojans (23-13) got a bases-loaded walk from Deliah Polnau, followed by Pryor’s grand slam to left-center.

“I told myself I was going to redeem myself from not doing too well in my first at-bat,” Pryor said. “I got three balls, and then she gave me one that was a meatball. I had to wait on it, and it was mid-inside, down the middle, and those are my favorite.”

The Trojans carried a 6-1 lead into the seventh before the Eagles (25-7) rallied.

Boulder City had runners at first and third before a wild throw made it 6-2. With two outs, Charlene Masterson ripped a two-run double off the top of the right-field fence to make it 6-4 and bring the tying run to the plate, but Roderick retired Mikaela Brown on a fly-out to right to end the game.

DIVISION IV SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Kennedy Huntsman tossed a five-inning one-hitter and struck out four to lead host Pahranagat Valley’s softball team to a 15-2 win over Indian Springs (9-9) in the championship game of the Division IV Southern League tournament.

Madison Harris was 3-for-3 with three doubles, and Cheyenne Harris had a three-run homer for Pahranagat Valley (21-6).

Both teams advance to the state tournament, which begins Thursday in Reno.