SUNRISE REGION: Two-run second enough as Patriots top Wildcats

Liberty softball coach Kris Jensen has stressed three things to his team in getting wins this year: timely hitting, good pitching and solid defense.

Jensen and the Patriots went 3-for-3 on Tuesday.

The Patriots (20-10) took care of all three facets en route to a 2-0 victory over host Las Vegas in the opening round of the Sunrise Region tournament.

“When you get two of the three, good things always happen,” Jensen said. “Today, we made the plays when we had to. On top of that, we got solid pitching and got the hits at key times. Even though we beat them before, we knew it would be a dogfight.”

Liberty scored the game’s only runs in the second inning.

Megan Patras opened the frame by drawing a walk, one of only two issued by Las Vegas starter Brooke Booth.

Diana Cassaro followed with a single, and Patras came around to score when the ball got by Mariel Hundley in center.

Carson Cooper’s bad-hop single brought home Cassaro and the Patriots had the 2-0 lead. Cooper finished with two hits.

“A couple of bad plays in the second inning and that was the difference,” Las Vegas coach Danielle Verlanic said. “When you make those mistakes in a close game, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. But tomorrow is a new day, and we will go back to work.”

The Wildcats (14-13) had a golden opportunity against Liberty starter Francesca Foti in the fifth.

Foti, who faced the minimum batters through four innings, yielded singles to Taylor Price, Jasmina Salas and Kristina Nelson to load the bases with no outs.

But the Liberty hurler rebounded, getting a fielder’s choice and strikeouts to both Jamye Cooley and Hundley to end the threat.

Las Vegas had one final chance in the seventh as Salas, who went 3-for-3, hit a one-out double to center. Again, Foti rose to the challenge as Nelson grounded out to first and Jenice Gutierrez popped up to the pitcher to end the game.

Foti allowed six hits and struck out six to earn the win. Liberty played solid defense behind her, including turning two double plays.

Liberty will meet Foothill (17-10) in a winners’ bracket semifinal at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Coronado.

Booth scattered seven singles and struck out five for Las Vegas, which faces Eldorado (13-11) in an elimination game at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Foothill.

Foothill 8, Eldorado 0 — At Foothill, Alex Petrolia spun a three-hitter and struck out eight to lead the Falcons past the Sundevils.

Palmer Bosanko went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI for Foothill.

Aricia Dami was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for Foothill.

Silverado 3, Rancho 2 — At Rancho, Taylee Heckman went 2-for-4 with a triple and a double to help the Skyhawks past Rancho.

Silverado (13-6) advances to face Coronado (29-2) in a winners’ bracket semifinal at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Coronado.

Aly Lamboo provided a triple and two RBIs for the Rams (17-15), who will meet Valley (14-16) in an elimination game at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Foothill.

Coronado 11, Valley 5 — At Coronado, Kim Dawson went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and two RBIs to lead the Cougars past the Vikings.

Breanna Portese was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Cougars, who also got a home run from Morgan Yuhas.

Jasmine Villamar went 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs for Valley.