Fernley reaches 3A final

Sevreana Johnson delivered a big hit for the second day in a row Friday afternoon, and because she did, the Fernley High School softball team is one step away from securing its first 3A state tournament title in Las Vegas.

Johnson's two-run homer over the centerfield fence with one out in the top of the seventh inning was the difference as the Vaqueros advanced to the state tournament championship round with a 3-2 victory against Northern 3A rival Lowry in a game played at Faith Lutheran High School.

Fernley plays for the title at 10 a.m. today against either Lowry or Pahrump Valley.

Johnson also hit a three-run home Thursday in a 10-2 opening round win over Pahrump Valley, giving Fernley its shot at Lowry in a rematch of last year's state tournament final. Lowry defeated Fernley for the 2006 title, 7-4.

Lowry led 2-1 with one out in the seventh when Frances Estrada drew a four-pitch walk, bringing Johnson to the plate. The No. 2 hitter didn't go up looking to hit a long ball, either.

"I wanted to move the runner up for our 3 and 4 hitters, so I had her bunting to start out, but I took it off after she got two strikes on the count," Fernley coach Diane Chapin said. "She did an excellent job there. She took the count to 2-2, fouled off two balls and then hit the seventh pitch."

Meanwhile, Heather Mathews pitched a complete game six-hitter with eight strikeouts and just one walk. Lowry took a 2-1 lead on a solo homer in the fourth, but Mathews only allowed one hit the rest of the way.

Fernley got a key play in the third when left fielder Samantha Rambeau cut down a runner at second base with her throw to Jayme King.