Dayton softball advances to semifinals

Staff Reports

The Dayton High softball team advanced to the semifinals against mostly 4A competition at the Hug High Tournament over the weekend.

Dayton, which advanced to last years NIAA State 3A Tournament, gained revenge against North Valleys to make the semifinals. North Valleys beat the Dust Devils 7-1 in round robin play, but the Dust Devils came back to beat the Panthers 7-5. Dayton went on to lose to Lassen 10-0 in the semifinals.

Dayton coach Dusti Houk said her team was plagued by errors in its first game against North Valleys.

"It was good to see the girls rebound," Houk said. "We were able to eliminate the errors against North Valleys."

Nicole Greer, a returning pitcher from last year's team, was the winninng pitcher. She pitched a five-hitter with no walks. Amanda Sbragia went 2-for-3 with a double and three runs, Greer was 2-for-2 with an RBI and Keeli Garcia had a hit and a run.

In the 7-1 loss to North Valleys, Greer allowed five hits while striking out four and walking one. Jessie Ayres doubled and scored Dayton's only run and Greer added a hit.

Dayton then lost to Spanish Springs 12-2. Two freshmen, Lauren Fisher and Sara Simmons, combined on the mound. Sbragia and Bailey Garcia each had a hit.

The Dust Devils went on to beat Spanish Springs 10-2. Greer pitched a one-hitter for the win. Ayres had a hit and two runs and Michelle Bowman had a hit and two RBI.

Against Lassen, Ayres doubled, Greer was 1-for-2 and Amanda Teny and Bowman were each 1-for-1.

Dayton returns 7 of 14 players from last year's team. "it was nice to be able to play 4A teams, to see some higher caliber competition, higher caliber pitching." Houk said.