SPARKS — After ending its tournament on a high note in Chico, Calif., the Lowry High School softball team opened Northern 3A play this past weekend on the road in Washoe County.
The Lady Bucks took on Wooster on Friday afternoon and beat the Colts 17-0 in three innings and did the same to Sparks on Saturday, beating the Railroaders 17-0 on three innings as well.
Lowry improved to 2-0 in the Northern 3A and 4-3 overall.
“Pretty good weekend for us,” said LHS coach Austin Mayo. “We are still trying to figure out some things. “It is a different team than last year with some different girls and we're pretty young, which is good.”
In the win over Wooster, Lowry plated six runs in the top of the first inning and did not look back. Kenzie Dowd-Smith opened the scoring with single to score Shelbie Hoyt, who led off the inning with a walk.
Megan Cook and Bailey Peterson followed with walks that allowed Savannah Stoker to score. Starting pitcher Kadence Cooney helped herself with a two-RBI double to make the score 4-0 and Hoyt batted for a second time in the frame and added an RBI single to make the score 6-0.
Lowry added to its lead in the second inning with a pair of runs, including a leadoff home run from Stoker. Maddison McClure closed out the inning with an RBI single that scored Cook.
Lowry closed out the game in the third inning with nine runs and Cooney finished off the Colts in the circle for the victory. The senior threw just 34 pitches and allowed one hit. She struck out two and walked one.
Dowd-Smith paced Lowry with three hits, four RBI and two runs scored. Hoyt, Stoker and Cooney each had two hits. Cooney had three RBI and Stoker scored three runs and drove in a pair.
Bailey Hayes, McClure and Peterson had one hit apiece.
“We had some good at bats all weekend and made some adjustments when we need to,” Mayo said. “That is what we are looking to see. It is still early in the season and still learning. When we went to Chico, we were outside for just a couple days and just got our full team after the state basketball tournament.”
Lowry 17,
Sparks 0
It was much of the same on Saturday, as Lowry had 10 hits in the rout of Sparks, with seven of those being for extra bases.
Stoker was 3-for-3 in the game with two doubles, a triple, three RBI and three runs scored. Dowd-Smith, Hayes, Hoyt and McClure all had doubles.
Lowry plated seven runs in the first and third innings, with three runs in the second.
Hoyt and McClure had two hits apiece and combined for four RBI.
Stoker earned the win in the circle, facing 11 batters in three innings. She gave up a hit, while striking out seven and walking one. The walk was to the opening batter of the game for the Railroaders.
“Pitching is going to be one of our keys this year,” added the coach. “Losing Bree (Dunckhorst) hurt but Kadence is going to step for us and Savannah will pitch as well after not pitching for a while. We have Peyton (Cassinelli) we can throw to. I think we will be OK.”
Lowry makes its home debut on Friday against North Valleys at 3 p.m. The Panthers defeated Elko and Spring Creek this past weekend.
The Lady Bucks are back home Saturday to face Hug at 11 a.m.
“North Valleys should be a good test for us,” Mayo said. “They are probably the best team on the West side.”
