Freshmen Kyra Cerini (2) and Riley Harvey (23) warm up in the outfield earlier in the season.
Pershing County softball wrapped up its regular season at home on Wednesday by hosting the North Tahoe Lakers (0-15) for senior day. The Mustangs beat the Lakers 18-11 and said goodbye to four seniors - Kaylen Halverson, Marya Burke, Benni Pompignoli, and Nova Karlsson. Pompignoli and Karlsson are exchange students from Europe.
The win sends Lovelock into the postseason as the #1 seed, undefeated in the Northern 2A (18-0). Battle Mountain (12-3), Yerington (10-6) and West Wendover (9-6) round out the top four.
The seniors made their last home game of the season one to remember. Marya Burke made a double play by catching the ball and then catching the runner who did not tag up at third base.
"It was a perfect way for Marya to end her senior game," coach Jordan McKinney said.
Kaylen Halverson went 3-for-4 at the plate and hit two in-the-park home runs.
"Kaylen has been a key part of our success all season, especially with her batting," added the coach. "Benni and Nova were a pleasure to have on the team. They are positive and willing to learn. Watching them improve this year while learning a brand-new game has been a highlight of my season."
The team will miss the seniors but has many up and coming players.
"It was nice to watch some of the freshmen play, like Lexie Portillo and Lilli Wagner. Anika Happy got an out at third base and Mia Canchola played a good shortstop. Kyra Cerini pitched well. So did Miya Gallagher, a junior. Seeing the improvement all of our girls have had this season is the reason I coach," McKinney said.
Lovelock hosts the regionals this Friday and Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
They'll play Yerington, Battle Mountain or West Wendover depending on the outcome of makeup games.
This weekend's weather forecast predicts sunny skies
Officials postponed West Wendover and Battle Mountain's game from Saturday, May 6, until Monday, May 7, because of the weather. Results were not available at press time.