The Battle Mountain High School softball team dropped the first two games against the Yerington Lions but returned Saturday morning for a victory. Longhorn pitcher Kira Smith earned the game ball after pitching a shutout against the high-powered Yerington offense.
On Friday, March 23, Battle Mountain fell behind early against Yerington, as the Lions earned the victory in the top of the first inning scoring 12 runs off 12 hits including five doubles off of Smith.
The Lady Longhorns, hoping to bounce back, scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning bringing the score to 12-3. Smith settled down from her rough first inning and held the Lions to only seven hits the rest of the game. Unfortunately, for Battle Mountain the damage was done in the first inning and lost 14-4 in five innings.
Later in the afternoon, the Lady Longhorns battled with the Lions in game two, with Jackie LaRiva on the mound for Battle Mountain. LaRiva pitched well in the game but surrendered two early runs in the first inning. LaRiva, who pitched all seven innings, surrendering seven runs off 10 hits and she struck out two batters.
The Lady Longhorns battled against the Lions but trailed 7-1 after a rough four-run inning for the Lions in game two. Battle Mountain would score another run in the bottom of the sixth inning but would ultimately lose the game 7-2.
On Saturday, March 24, the Lady Longhorns were determined to bounce back against the Lions. They started strong with Smith back on the mound. Smith who gave up the 12 earned runs the day before, pitched an ace of a game.
In the bottom of the first inning, Marissa Rogers opened the scoring for the Lady Longhorns with a singled on her first pitch of the at-bat, scoring one run. Battled Mountain scored a second time in the inning, bringing the lead to 2-0 after one inning of play.
Battle Mountain, holding the lead for the first time during the weekend, would never relinquish the advantage again after a strong pitching performance by Smith. The Lady Longhorns scored two more runs in the bottom of the second inning, before adding another three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing the score to 7-0.
Smith finished off the game securing the Longhorn victory at 7-0. She finished the game throwing a complete game shutout, allowing only eight hits, two walks and struck out two batters against the Lions.
The Lady Longhorns saw the ball well Saturday, racking up nine hits in the game. Alma Chavira, Jenna Leavitt, and Rogers all managed multiple hits for Battle Mountain.
Battle Mountain stands at 4-4 overall and 2-2 in league play and are still in an excellent position to make the postseason. Yerington is 3-3 overall and 3-1 in league play this season.
Battle Mountain took the field again on Tuesday at home against Silver Stage. The Lady Longhorns travel to Silver Stage on Saturday for a doubleheader against the Nighthawks at 10 a.m..
