DIVISION IV SOFTBALL: Panthers take control early, roll into state title game

Pahranagat Valley’s softball team had to use a late six-run rally to win its opening-round game of the Division IV state tournament.

The two-time defending state champions left little room for doubt on Friday.

Led by Brook Higbee’s three-hit day, the Panthers scored seven runs in the second inning to grab control en route to their 14-4 win over Wells in the winners’ bracket final at Mountain View.

Pahranagat Valley (18-6) will again face Wells (31-1) in the state final at 10 a.m. Saturday at Desert Oasis. The Leopards have to win twice to win the championship.

“We had an opportunity to go out there and take charge,” Pahranagat Valley coach Mike Sparrow said. “And right from the get-go, that’s what we did. These girls do a really great job of doing what we ask them to do.

“They were a little nervous yesterday and it showed early on. We weren’t sticking with our offensive game plan that we’ve been working on. But today we talked about that. I said, ‘All you’ve got to do is just be focused. You’re the most seasoned team out here.’ ”

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Panthers answered with seven runs in the second to take a 7-1 lead and steal momentum.

It was the first of two times the Panthers would answer a scoring inning by Wells.

“When you get a (six)-run lead, a walk doesn’t hurt you as bad. A missed assignment doesn’t hurt you as bad,” Sparrow said. “You get a little better feel for it, and you can play looser. It’s almost easier to come play. When you have stress on you, anything can happen.”

Wells cut the lead to 7-4 in the fifth inning, but go no closer. Pahranagat Valley put up seven more runs in the sixth to seal the win. The Panthers will be making their sixth state final apperance in the last nine years.

“I don’t know what it is. We’ve been able to have a culture where they expect to win,” Sparrow said. “They know how to handle the pressure. They don’t collapse. Sometimes I don’t even know how they do it.”

Higbee finished 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBIs for the Panthers, who had with 18 hits.

“She’s a solid player for us,” Sparrow said. “She just does whatever you ask and is willing to do anything. I’m glad I’ve got her again.”

Alyson Egbert went 3-for-4, and Madison Harris had a double and two RBIs for Pahranagat Valley, which also got a double from Jamie Hansen.

Leslie Aguilar had a double for Wells, which only had three hits.

Eureka 10, Indian Springs 6 — Taylor Anderson went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a stolen base and two runs to help the Vandals eliminate the Thunderbirds (20-9) in the loser’s bracket semifinals.

Annette Hayward added a home run for Eureka, which led 6-5 after the fifth inning before adding three runs in the sixth.

Indian Springs’ Hannah Thormahlen pitched a complete game and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs.

Cheyanne Noyes had two walks and two runs for the Thunderbirds, who got RBIs from Halle Jackson and Britni Mitchell.