SMALL SCHOOLS: Patient Thunderbirds repeat as 1A state champs

RENO — A potent offense was Indian Springs’ biggest weapon this season.

The Thunderbirds swung and bullied their way past opponent after opponent.

On Saturday, a different approach was needed, and the Thunderbirds showed they could be just as patient as they can be powerful.

Indian Springs drew seven walks, including four with the bases loaded, in an 11-run first inning and cruised past Tonopah, 18-8 in five innings at UNR’s Hixson Field to win their second straight Class 1A state title.

“It helped out a lot that we were familiar with Tonopah,” said Indian Springs coach Steve Lawson. “We knew that if we made them throw strikes, we would get our opportunities. The message to the girls was just be patient, be patient.”

Strikes were few and far between early. Indian Springs (25-1) had only three hits in the first inning — and two of those came from the 13th and 14th batters of the inning.

Three Tonopah pitchers were needed just to get to the second inning.

“It was hard to be patient,” said catcher Baylee McCormick. “They switched pitchers on us. We’re used to seeing them a lot, but we were just so anxious to get that state title.”

Hard or not, the Thunderbirds were patient.

Indian Springs had only four hits in the first three innings, but led 15-6.

“It was hard for me because I hate slow pitchers,” said shortstop Heather Thormahlen, who went 1-for-4 and scored three runs.

One way or another, though, the Thunderbirds offered plenty of run support again for pitcher Brandi Bryl.

“It’s just awesome to pitch with this offense,” Bryl said. “They always have my back.”

McCormick had two hits, including the game-ending double in the bottom of the fifth.

Alexxa Reinke added a double and a single and had three RBIs for the Thunderbirds, whose lone loss of the year came to Tonopah (10-12) in the Southern League tournament.

“We knew a lot about them, and we played them a lot,” Thormahlen said. “That loss actually really helped us. It humbled us.”

The Thunderbirds became the first team to repeat as state champions in 1A since Pahranagat Valley in 2007 and 2008.

“It’s better this year than last year,” Lawson said. "To be able to be repeat champions and do something that is extremely hard to do and rare to do is just really, really exciting.

“It’s a lot of relief, getting this done.”

Elaina Dunn and Megan Donham each went 2-for-2 with an RBI, and Alli Friel was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Muckers.

CLASS 3A

Danielle Rothery went 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs to lead Churchill County to a 10-1 win over Lowry to capture the Class 3A title.

CLASS 2A

Kelsey Soukup led off the top of the second inning with a home run, and Yerington’s softball team held on for a 1-0 victory over Lincoln County in the title game of the Class 2A state tournament Saturday at Lovelock.

Katie Nicholas pitched a five-hitter with five strikeouts for Yerington (27-4-1).

K.C. McCrosky fired a four-hitter with three strikeouts for Lincoln County (28-6).

Kourtney Gloeckner went 2-for-3 for the Lynx, and Chanel Adamson was 1-for-2 with a double.

Lincoln County 8, Yerington 1 — At Lovelock, McCrosky pitched a three-hitter with six strikeouts as the Lynx forced the winner-take-all finale.

Kaylee Teel was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for Lincoln County. Britten Hafen tripled and drove in three runs, and Elle Scott went 2-for-3 with an RBI.