ROUNDUP: Desert Shields strike early for win at Valley
A lack of confidence has been among the items that have prevented Cheyenne’s softball team from qualifying for the Sunset Region playoffs in recent years.
Judging by the outcome of Monday’s game at Valley and the start the Desert Shields are off to, confidence isn’t a stranger any more.
Cheyenne sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring 11 times en route to a 15-0 five-inning win over the Vikings (5-9). The Desert Shields (8-4) matched their win total from all of last season, when they finished 8-18.
“That’s always been the big thing with these girls, confidence,” Cheyenne coach Teri Hernandez said. “We needed this today.”
After a leadoff single by Bailey Benson and a groundout, the next 12 Desert Shields reached base either by hit, walk or Valley error. The game was decided before Cheyenne pitcher Rachel Holly even picked up the ball.
Though when she did, Holly was sharp, needing only 50 pitches to get 15 outs. The sophomore right-hander allowed only two singles and struck out six.
“She’s grown leaps and bounds since last year,” Hernandez said. “She’s really got her on head on right and has become a leader.”
Vanessa Sanders went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and Holly, Benson and Melanie Manley each added two hits and an RBI for Cheyenne.
Not thought by many to be a contender for a top-four finish in the Northwest League, the Desert Shields are 2-1 in league play, including a win over Cimarron-Memorial. Three of Cheyenne’s four losses, including its league setback, are by one or two runs.
“We only lost one key senior last year,” Hernandez said. “I really do think this could be the year we challenge (for a top spot).”
And this could be the week that determines whether or not the Desert Shields will be in the hunt.
Cheyenne plays three playoff contenders as it visits Arbor View on Tuesday and Centennial on Friday with a home game against Palo Verde sandwiched in between on Thursday.
“This is the week we’ve been getting ready for,” Hernandez said. “As long as they don’t make mistakes and play the way they can play, we’ll be all right.”
Legacy 10, Tech 0 — At Legacy, Sierra Pico threw a one-hitter with six strikeouts to lead the Longhorns to the six-inning win.
Pico also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and two runs.
Jessie Wilhelm finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a run and two RBIs for Legacy.
Arbor View 10, Rancho 3 — At Arbor View, Chelsa Baca went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs as the Aggies scored four runs in the fourth inning and five more in the sixth to put away Rancho.
Winning pitcher Amanda Jones recorded 12 strikeouts and hit 3-for-4 with a double for Arbor View.
Aly Lamboo was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles for the Rams.
