The first month of the season for the Battle Mountain High School softball team has been an odd one to say the least.
The Lady Longhorns opened the season in the first week of March at the Pershing County tournament in Lovelock. Battle Mountain got one day of play in, before bad weather wiped out the final day of play. After a week off in the schedule, Battle Mountain was set to take on Silver Stage in a three-game series on its home field to begin Northern 2A action. The Nighthawks decided to forfeit and not make the trip.
The Lady Longhorns was supposed to be back in Battle Mountain this past weekend to play Incline for three games. The Highlanders informed the Lady Longhorns that they would not make the trip out to the east side of the state.
So, Battle Mountain picked up four non-conference games last week — two each against Carlin and Wells.
Battle Mountain traveled to Carlin on Tuesday, March 29, and beat the Railroaders 23-0 and 12-5.
In the opener, the Lady Longhorns scored 15 runs in the first inning and the rout was on from there. Battle Mountain added five runs in the second and three more in the third to end the game in the third inning with the 15-run mercy rule.
Lilliana Haney earned the win in the circle, allowing one in hit. The junior struck out four and walked two.
Shea Jones and Kiana Gonzalez each had a pair of hits and scored three runs for the Lady Longhorns. Jessa Spring, Marena Fuller and Haney had one hits apiece. Despite not having a hit, Tahlia Gonzalez had three RBI and two runs scored. Gonzalez also walked twice. Lauryn Avey and Haney each scored four runs.
Battle Mountain 12, Carlin 5
The nightcap was a much-different story, despite Battle Mountain scoring in the first five innings. The Lady Longhorns scored single runs in each of the first three innings. However, after tie the game in the bottom of the first inning, Carlin scored four times in the second to lead.
Battle Mountain tied the game at 5-5 in the fourth inning and broke away in the fifth inning with five runs.
Hailee Andersen, Kelcee Robey and Haney had three hits apiece and the trip combined for seven RBI, with Robey having three of those. Asier Iturriaga, Alissa Heinz and Fuller each had one hit.
Jones collected the win in the circle, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits. She struck out six and walked one.
Battle Mountain was on its home field on Wednesday, March 30, to play Wells and split with the Leopards. Wels won the first game 11-2 and the Lady Longhorns won the nightcap 7-6.
Battle Mountain put a younger group on the field in the first game and Wells built a 7-0 lead after the top of the second inning. The Lady Longhorns scored twice in the bottom of the second but got no closer.
Samantha Leffler, Iturriaga, Kiana Gonzalez and Robey each had a hit. Haney started for Battle Mountain and took the loss in the circle. She allowed seven runs (three earned) on just one hit. She walked three. Spring threw the final three innings and gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits. She struck out five and walked none.
Battle Mountain 7, Wells 6
Battle Mountain looked to be in cruise control in the second game, leading 6-0 after three inning play. However, that advantage went away, as Wells plated two runs apiece in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. However, the Lady Longhorns were able to walk off the field in the bottom of the seventh with a single run to get the victory.
Jones was 4-for-4 for the Lady Longhorns, with an RBI and two runs scored. Thalia Gonzalez had three hits, three runs scored and an RBI and Kiana Gonzalez, Galileah Benavides, Fuller and Robey had a hit.
Jones earned the win in the complete-game effort. The junior allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits. She struck out 11 and walked one.
Battle Mountain will attempt to play a league series this weekend in Yerington, starting on Friday at 4 p.m. The two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday at 11 a.m.
