Spartans blank Durango

Cimarron-Memorial softball coach Steve Gorden has relied on pitcher Jennifer Liddell all season, so it was no surprise that he called on his ace in Tuesday's Sunset Regional game at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

Liddell did not disappoint, scattering five hits in seven innings to lead the Spartans to a 7-0 victory over Durango.

The victory lifted Cimarron (22-7) into a 7 p.m. second-round game today against Sierra Vista (28-8).

"Our plan coming in was to be very aggressive at the plate," Gorden said. "We also needed Jennifer to hit her spots. She did. I think she's the most valuable player in Southern Nevada."

Liddell's teammates gave her an early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning.

"That was very important," Gorden said. "It gave us confidence quickly."

After the Spartans scored two more runs in the fourth, Chelsea Williams sealed the victory with a towering three-run homer in the sixth.

Although Gorden said he had confidence in his team entering the game, he didn't predict such a dominant performance.

"I'm pleasantly surprised," he said. "I didn't expect an easy game, but I did expect us to be prepared."

Alejandra Voge and Hailey Hachtel each went 2-for-3 to lead the Trailblazers.

• Centennial 11, Spring Valley 0 -- Bre Egge went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and two RBIs to help the Bulldogs beat the Grizzlies in five innings.

Teresa Healy went 2-for-3 with a double to help Centennial, which scored five runs in the third to take a 6-0 lead.

Katie Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double for Spring Valley.

The Bulldogs (27-4) will face Shadow Ridge (23-5) at 7 p.m. today, and Spring Valley will play Bonanza at 3.

• Sierra Vista 9, Palo Verde 1 -- Kristin Delahoussaye went 3-for-4 to help the Lions cruise past the Panthers.

Kelsey McCoy went 2-for-4 with a double for Sierra Vista, which broke open a close game with five runs in the third. She pitched a five-hitter to get the victory.

Lauryn Stover went 2-for-4 to lead Palo Verde (10-21), which will play Durango (19-9) at 3 p.m. today.

• Shadow Ridge 10, Bonanza 0 -- Mandy Harmon pitched a four-hitter, striking out eight, to lift the Mustangs over the Bengals.

Ashley Huddleston went 3-for-4 to lead Shadow Ridge's 16-hit attack. Teammate Courtney Winnett went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs, and Vanessa Simmons went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Jennifer Carey went 2-for-3 to lead Bonanza (17-10-1).

SUNRISE REGION

• Eldorado 1, Silverado 0 -- Jasmine Pickett pitched a one-hitter and struck out 17 to lift the Sundevils over the Skyhawks in eight innings.

Two key errors aided Eldorado in the eighth. Amanda Lapin reached on a misplayed bunt before coming around to score on a drive by Pickett that was dropped in the outfield.

The loss spoiled a strong performance by Silverado's Katie Devlin, who allowed three hits and struck out 17.

The victory lifted the Sundevils (9-9) into a 5 p.m. game today against Las Vegas (17-5). The Skyhawks will face Green Valley at 3.

• Las Vegas 7, Green Valley 1 -- Cassandra Blanco's three-run homer ignited a five-run fifth that helped the Wildcats beat the Gators.

Tiffini Lucero went 3-for-3 for Las Vegas. Jennifer Gliddon scattered eight hits to get the victory.

Alexandra Bodnar went 2-for-2 to lead Green Valley (13-14).

• Coronado 11, Rancho 1 -- Veronica Rothenhausler went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs to lead the Cougars past the Rams in six innings.

Tristina Shibata went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for Coronado, which scored in every inning. Teammate Allie Amato went 2-for-3.

Jesslyn Bley and Katelyn Bley each went 2-for-3 for Rancho, which led 1-0 in the first before being blanked by Cougars starter Berlynn Bagley.

Coronado (23-5) will play Foothill (19-14) at 7 p.m. today, and Valley will face Rancho in an elimination game at 5.

• Foothill 5, Valley 1 -- Shelbie Medrano threw a two-hitter to lift the Falcons over the Vikings.

Janina Stampahar went 2-for-4 with a double for Foothill, and Chelsea Richards and Lacie Saunders added two hits apiece.

Britney Burnett went 2-for-3 to lead Valley (10-10).