Pitcher lifts Eagles to softball win

Boulder City softball coach Bruce Reid knows his team's toughest tests this season won't come against Class 3A Southern League opponents.

So he was eager to see if the Eagles would pass their second consecutive test against a quality nonleague foe Tuesday.

Karlee Koopman made sure of it, tossing a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts to power Boulder City to a 1-0 win at Henderson International.

"This week and last week, we're approaching where we want to be mentally," Reid said. "That's what we need to see."

Boulder City scored when Angel Ragone came home on a throwing error by Henderson International's third baseman in the third inning.

The Eagles (23-2) have allowed one earned run in four league games, sweeping them by a combined 47-3 score.

Boulder City followed those games with a 6-1 home victory Friday over Liberty (20-6), which would be in the 4A Sunrise Region playoffs if the postseason began today.

On Tuesday, the Eagles beat Henderson International (21-3), which sits in first place in the 1A Southern League.

Reid called the nonleague slate crucial for building mental toughness for a team that expects to compete for its first 3A state title since 1999.

"Like we told them here, if you make an error against a quality team, they're going to capitalize on it," Reid said. "Today we went error-free, and we went error-free against Liberty. As a coach, I'm tickled pink whenever we do that."

Koopman, a sophomore, walked one and hit one batter.

Wolverines sophomore Lee Harrison pitched a three-hitter. She struck out two, walked two and hit one batter.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.