Wolverines growing up fast

Unable to compete for the postseason until next year, the young Henderson International softball team expected to spend the season learning how good the competition is.

Instead, most of Henderson International's future Class 1A Southern League opponents have been finding out just how good the Wolverines are.

With a 10-0 five-inning win over visiting Pahranagat Valley on Saturday, Henderson International completed a three-game season sweep of the two-time defending 1A state champion Panthers.

The Wolverines (20-2) swept the three games against Pahranagat Valley by a combined score of 29-4.

"Seeing the level of our kids' play, it's nice to know they can compete with anybody in the league," Henderson International first-year coach Mimie Hall said. "And probably in 2A, 3A, even 4A, with some of them."

The Wolverines are an independent this season because they could not field a team to complete a full schedule last year.

But the addition of nine freshmen, including eight everyday players, has turned Henderson International into a rising power. The Wolverines have outscored opponents 309-36 on the season.

"Part of it is we're all really good friends from school, and we played basketball and volleyball together," freshman pitcher Lee Harrison said. "So we already had that team (chemistry) going on. When we came to softball, it just clicked, and we've all done very well."

Hall called the chemistry her freshmen carried into the season "a tremendous help."

"As a new coach, I didn't know them, but they knew each other," she said. "We just had to adapt to softball. They already had the mentality of being a team."

Harrison (11-2) struck out six in a four-hit shutout, with no walks.

"Her presence helps the rest of the team because she's so dominant," Hall said of Harrison, who has thrown three no-hitters this season.

Pamela Sakuma was 3-for-3 with two RBIs for Henderson International. Natasha Chapman (two doubles) and Alyssa Ayers had two hits each.

The Panthers (11-8-1) lost for only the fourth time in their past 14 games.

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