SUNRISE SOFTBALL: Las Vegas outslugs Foothill for 17-16 victory

After Foothill plated nine runs over the first two innings, the Las Vegas softball team rallied and held on for a 17-16 home victory over the Falcons in Tuesday’s opening round of the Sunrise Region tournament.

Freshman Angelina Visitacion led Las Vegas’ 21-hit attack, going 4-for-4 with a first-inning home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Winning pitcher Skylar Gorrell also had four hits, with two RBIs and three runs scored, and Sarina Ramirez, Melina Fabian, and Summer Horn each contributed with three hits for the Wildcats (15-7).

“It was all about who wants to show up and play today,” Las Vegas coach Darleen Fernandez said. “We knew what they could do with the bats and we knew what we can do with the bats, so I wasn’t too worried. I was just worried when there was a little bit of a lull in the middle (innings).”

After the Falcons’ offensive eruption to start the game, Las Vegas senior catcher Arienn Ackerman settled Gorrell down once they began making their way through the lineup for a third time. The third-year battery found its rhythm, as Gorrell retired 16 of 24 batters, while her offense started heating up.

“I had complete confidence in Skylar, I think she is an amazing athlete, and she just gets the job done,” said Ackerman, who has committed to Salt Lake City Community College.

The Wildcats scored in every inning except the second, took the lead for good in the fourth, and seized control in the fifth. Ramirez ignited rallies in both the fourth and fifth innings, leading off with singles in both, and eventually scoring.

“We’ve really talked about teamwork lately, and that’s made our team better heading into the playoffs,” Ramirez said. “Communication was actually the key for us to stay in the game today. I was confident in my team, I’m really proud of how we kept it together.”

Trailing 17-11 heading into the seventh inning, Foothill (15-18) made things interesting by batting through the lineup to score five runs during a two-out rally, which ended when Gorrell got leadoff hitter Caitlyn Stevenson to ground out to first base.

Kayla King led the Falcons offense, going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, and teammate Haleigh Olive went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs.

Las Vegas plays at Coronado (28-5) at 4 p.m. in the winners’ bracket on Wednesday, while the Falcons will host Silverado (12-16) in an elimination game, also at 4 p.m.

Coronado 10, Silverado 0 — At Coronado, Jillian James fired a two-hitter with 16 strikeouts and no walks to power the Cougars past the Skyhawks in six innings.

Tatum Spangler was 2-for-4 with a solo home run, and teammate Veronica Jarchow went 4-for-4 for Coronado. Ashley Ward supplied two hits, including and RBI double for the Cougars.

Mary Dungey and Mary Gregorich each had a single for Silverado.

Liberty 16, Green Valley 1 — At Liberty, McKenna Hefley went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, and Kylie Hefley was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, as the Patriots routed the Gators in three innings.

Breanna Alvarez had two hits and two RBIs, and Ashleigh Rodriguez supplied two hits and an RBI for Liberty (22-6). Jessica Meza earned the win in the circle, giving up one hit with five strikeouts for the Patriots.

Alexa Blazek doubled for Green Valley’s lone hit.

Liberty will host Rancho (21-10) at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Green Valley (14-19) will travel to Basic (18-16) for an elimination game, also at 4 p.m.

Rancho 4, Basic 1 — At Rancho, Sam Pochop struck out 12 and did not allow an earned run, and went 2-for-3 at the plate as the Rams beat the Wolves.

Gianna Carosone homered, and Lili Gutierrez hit a double for the Rams.