Las Vegas opens season with shutout of Gators

Las Vegas High softball coach Kelly Lindahl will have plenty of chances to evaluate her team this week.

At first glance, though, Lindahl couldn’t help but smile at what she saw.

Kristina Nelson and Brooke Booth combined on a three-hitter Thursday, and the Wildcats earned a season-opening 2-0 win over visiting Green Valley.

“The girls worked together, they’re coming together as a team,” Lindahl said. “We’ve got one freshman on the team and some new girls, so we need to mesh together and see how it’s going to go.”

Las Vegas took advantage of four Gators errors to score unearned runs in the third and fourth innings.
That was more than enough for Nelson, who worked six sparkling innings, allowing only a first-inning bunt single and singles in the fifth and sixth innings.

After a bunt single by Maggie Manwarren to lead off the game, Nelson retired the next 14 hitters. She struck out eight.

Booth fired a perfect seventh inning, striking out one, to earn the save.

Las Vegas got the only run it needed in the third when Mariel Hundley’s two-out bunt was thrown into right field, allowing Hundley to reach third. Ashly Westgarth followed with a run-scoring single.

The Wildcats doubled their lead in the fourth after pinch-hitter Kristine Passion reached on an error, stole second and scored when Justine Rosales’ sacrifice bunt was misplayed.

Las Vegas, which tied for the Northeast League title last season, plays twice today and three times Saturday in the March Warm-Up Tournament in St. George, Utah.

“Confidence is a huge thing for these girls,” Lindahl said. “It’s important for us to start well.”