Cimarron ace Sheehan fans 12 in opening win over Silverado

Cimarron-Memorial softball coach Steve Gorden is “still trying to find the pieces” that will solidify his lineup.

But he doesn’t have many questions about his pitching.

Returning all-state right-hander Carrie Sheehan struck out 12 to help the Spartans hold on for a 5-3 victory at Silverado on Thursday in the season opener for both teams. The junior scattered six hits and walked three in a seven-inning complete game.

“(Sheehan) is a good, dominating pitcher,” Gorden said. “I don’t feel like she was pitching her best, but (Silverado) did what they needed to do to get runners on base.”

The Skyhawks put two runners on and brought the potential winning run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Sheehan induced a game-ending groundout.

“That was nerve-wracking. My stomach dropped,” she said.

Sheehan was 2-for-4 for Cimarron, which had 11 hits. The Spartans sent nine batters to the plate during a three-run second and led the rest of the way.

Andrea Bishop was 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Cimarron. Hannah Williams and Sarina Creswell added two hits and one RBI each.

“We have some ideas where we’re probably going to make some adjustments; we’ve got to get the pieces to fit,” Gorden said. “But with Carrie and then with (Nora) Murphy behind the plate, we’ll come out pretty good.”

Gorden hopes Cimarron can clean up its defense at the March Warm-Up tournament in St. George, Utah, today. The Spartans had three errors Thursday.

“We’re better defensively than we showed,” he said. “But credit Silverado for putting the bat on the ball.”

Ashley Phillips went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Silverado. Alyson Kosinski had an RBI triple, and Taree Heckman hit an RBI double.

Silverado must replace four starters from last season, including standout catcher Mikayla Thielges and pitcher Katie Devlin.

“There’s so many young girls, it’s going to be a work in progress,” coach Victor Pierro said. “As long as we get where we need to be come divisional play, that’s the important stuff.”