Hannah Castleton makes the out near the centerfield fence in a recent game. The Lady Panthers had games with Calvary Chapel and Sunrise Mountain this week.
Pahranagat Valley High School’s (PVHS) softball team won three games last week and one this week, a league doubleheader at Beaver Dam and two non-league games in Alamo with Virgin Valley and Calvary Chapel.
On April 3, in Alamo, Mariah Zander tossed a four-hitter and went 1-for-2 batting with two RBIs as the Lady Panthers downed the Virgin Valley Bulldogs 8-5.
Cousins Hannah Castleton and Morgan Harris each went 2-for-3.
The girls got their offense going in the first inning when Rebecca Taylor singled to score a run.
The Bulldogs came right back in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on an outfield error. Then the Panthers tied the game on a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Zander.
PVHS built an 8-2 lead with a five-run third inning. Castleton singled to score a run, and two Virgin Valley errors accounted for three more runs for Pahranagat.
Zander was the winning pitcher. She gave up five runs on four hits, struck out seven and walked two.
On April 5, the Lady Panthers began league play at Beaver Dam where they took two from the Diamondbacks, 22-3 and 20-3.
The first game was a walkover. The Panthers scored seven runs in the first inning, nine the second and six in the third and the game was called after three innings by the 15-run mercy rule.
Pahranagat banged out 14 hits in the three innings plus a total of 12 stolen bases.
Zander was the winning pitcher. She allowed three runs on two hits in three innings, struck out three and walked four.
The second game was another three-inning affair thanks to the 14-run third inning the Lady Panthers produced.
The offensive firepower was led by Taylor Higbee, Zander, Harris, Castleton and Emily Hansen, all driving in runs with hits including a two-run triple by Harris and a two-run double by Castleton.
“Their pitcher was throwing strikes,” said Pahranagat coach Mike Sparrow. “We were just being patient and getting good, solid base hits.”
Zander was again on the mound for Pahranagat, giving up three runs, two hits, six strikeouts and two walks.
This game, the Lady Panthers stole 15 bases with T. Higbee swiping three.
On Tuesday, Zander tossed a three-hitter, leading the Lady Panthers to a 16-1 win over visiting Calvary Chapel. The girls scored three in the first inning, five in the second and eight in the third to shorten the game to just three innings. Zander struck out six and walked one.
Morgan Harris was 2-for-2 with an RBI.
April 12, PVHS (11-1) are off on a road trip to Sunrise Mountain (5-10) and then will travel to Carlin April 16 for a non-league doubleheader. The Panthers and the Railroaders haven’t played softball since 2012.
