“It was awesome,” said Jordan McKinney. “The girls were nervous, but once they stepped out on the field, they were naturals. We had some simple mistakes that we will clean up.”
On Friday, the softball team went 2-0 against West Wendover, winning 24-8 and 17-4 in five innings.
Part of the excitement stems from several ‘firsts.’
Aledda Sam hit Pershing County’s first home run of the 2021 season.
Freshman Maya Gallagher debuted as catcher, a switch from her regular job on first base. Taylor Garland pitched her first high school games, striking out three batters in one inning.
“She was tired by the second game but stayed in there and battled,” said McKinney.
Half of the 16-member team consists of freshmen playing their first season of varsity softball. They are Gallagher, KayLee Poffenroth, Garland, Madyson Grenz, Kaylah Hanley, Anna Happy, Yasmine McKinney and Danya Zepeda. Manager Jena Pilon completes the lineup.
It’s a young team. Senicka Happy is the only senior.
“Senicka had the best game I’ve seen her play since the four years I’ve been in the program,” said McKinney. “Bela Rosas is our shortstop. She played so well. She, along with Senicka and Aledda, are my leaders.”
The sophomores are Marya Burke, Andrea Canchola and Lupita Lopez. Burke has energized the Spirit Squad (along with Hanley, Zepeda and Pilon).
Canchola and Lopez are returning ball players. For all three, the first year of high school softball was cut short after just a couple of weeks.
Next year’s seniors are Rosas, Sam, Rosie Soares and Kassandra Swindlehurst. They’ll march with the Class of 2022.
The team looks forward to an exciting six-week season with coach McKinney, Drew Wanner, Tony Nelson and Leah Holland.
Pershing County travels to Silver Springs on Saturday to play Silver Stage in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.
Pershing County hosts Battle Mountain on Tuesday, April 27 at 4 p.m. for a single game.
On Saturday, May 1, they host Yerington at 10 a.m. and noon.
