Softball tourney helps team find answers

Trojans third in Desert Winds competition

Pahrump Valley softball coach Jamie Winterton knew that she had talented athletes even before the Trojans opened in the Desert Winds Softball Tournament. She just wasn't sure at what position everyone belonged.

Not all questions were answered in the tournament. But after eight games in three days, Winterton has a better idea of where the best position is for her many interchangeable players.

Pahrump went 5-2-1 in the tourney, finishing third of 16 teams. Senior Tiffany Darr and freshman Sara Coleman emerged as the top pitchers although Gilena Gonzado and Veronica Villa saw action and will see spot duty throughout the season.

Darr was brilliant, no-hitting Pahranagat Valley in her first start, a 9-0 Trojans' win, and two-hitting Moapa Valley in a 12-1 Pahrump victory. Coleman's varsity debut was sensational, a four-hit shutout in the Trojans' 3-0 win over White Pine. She also stopped Needles on one-hit in a 6-1 Pahrump win.

"Both pitched very well," Winterton said. "It was a good tournament for us. We got to use a lot of different lineups and got good ideas of where people play (best).

"We have a lot of people who can play a lot of different positions. It's nice to have the type of depth we have. Our defense was up and down, but amazing against White Pine. When we played Virgin Valley (11-9 loss) and Spring Creek (11-1 defeat), our defense wasn't as good."

Pahrump Valley 2, Moapa Valley 2

The Trojans had plenty of opportunities to put runs on the board but were overanxious at the plate. In fact, Pahrump might have lost this game in the fourth inning if Villa hadn't gotten into a rundown and scored the second run.

The fourth inning was the best example of a missed opportunity. The Trojans loaded the bases with none out. After Gonzado lined into a double play, Villa got caught in a rundown on Katelyn Floyd's bouncer to the pitcher and scored the go-ahead run, which ended up being the tying run when the Pirates scored in the fifth.

Solange Phillips had two of Pahrump's four hits, including a double. Gonzado singled and scored the Trojans' first-inning run.

Pahrump Valley 3, White Pine 0

Coleman struck out three and walked two and was backed by the Trojans' best defense of the tournament.

Villa and Caley Loud had RBI hits during Pahrump's three-run first inning. Villa was 2-for-3, including a double.

Spring Creek 11, Pahrump Valley 1

This was the Trojans' worst effort of the tourney. They fell behind 9-0 before scoring their only run in the fourth as Loud walked and moved around on a ground out, fly ball and passed ball.

Jessica Armendariz had Pahrump's only hit, a second-inning single. The Trojans committed four errors in the four-inning game.

Pahrump Valley 9, Pahranagat Valley 0

The Trojans bounced back behind Darr's no-hitter that included nine strikeouts and one walk.

Villa slammed a two-run homer during a seven-run second inning. Pahrump banged out three hits and took advantage of three walks during the second.

Pahrump Valley 18, Salt Lake East 2

The Trojans unleashed a 13-hit attack that featured back-to-back home runs by Villa and Loud.

After spotting East a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, Pahrump bounced back with a vengeance with 11 runs in its half of the inning. Villa slammed a three-run homer and Loud followed with a solo blast.

Villa was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs. Sam Ebarb was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Lacie Whitcotton was 2-for-2. Gonzado allowed two hits and struck out seven.

Virgin Valley 11, Pahrump Valley 9

The Bulldogs belted two home runs and a triple, and scored in every inning en route to the win.

Loud was 2-for-2 with two runs, and Villa was 2-for-3 with two runs for Pahrump, which wasted a seven-hit attack and five-run first inning.

Pahrump Valley 6, Needles 1

Coleman allowed one hit, striking out three and walking two.

The Trojans took advantage of four straight walks and Stacy Bahret's two-run single to score four runs in the third inning.

Pahrump Valley 12, Moapa Valley 1

This time, there were no wasted opportunities against the Pirates.

Darr allowed two hits, struck out three and walked none. The Trojans backed her by scoring in every inning.

Villa hit her third home run of the tournament for Pahrump, which made economical use of just four hits. Gonzado and Armendariz scored two runs each, and Loud drove in two runs.

"We have a tough lineup and are going to hurt some people later in the season," Winterton said. "The girls still have a lot to learn and a lot to do. We learned that when we play well in the field we can be very good. We have the ability. I know we will score a lot of runs."

The Trojans open Southern League play when they host Boulder City at 1 p.m. Monday.


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