FERNLEY - After getting swept by Fallon last weekend, you knew that Dayton High's baseball team would be one angry and determined group on Wednesday.
The Dust Devils took out their frustration on Fernley early and often, scoring eight times in the first inning en route to a 27-4 victory in Lahontan League play.
With just two league games left. Dayton only needs to split the upcoming doubleheader with the Vaqueros to advnace to the regional playoffs.
"We got a little refocused," Dayton coach Jay Merrell said. "It was good to see. We had a great approach at the plate. It was nice to see them go after it."
The Dust Devils will now be off for 10 days bcause of Easter break. Dayton will play Hug on April 30 and then face Fernley on May 5. Merrell said his toughest chore will be to keep the team focused during the layoff.
Conner Oliver went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs with a double, and he worked three innings, allowing just two runs and striking out seven.
Logan Garling went 3-for-5 with three RBI. Houston Berntson went 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs, while Logan Jones and Jake Koch both went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs. Forrest Burrows went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Kyle Farnworth went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Merrell said that Sam Hadley's at-bat to lead off the game set the temp for the eight-run inning. He fell behind 0-2 and then worked the count to 2-2 before singling. Twelve more batters followed Hadley to the plate. Oliver's two-run double was the big hit.
SOFTBALL
FERNLEY ROLLS TO 7-1 WIN
FERNLEY - The Dust Devils managed just five hits and were blanked until the final inning.
Makayala Shadle struck out four and allowed only four hits, as leaky defense killed the Dust Devils once again.
"Our playoff hopes are getting dimmer and dimmer," Dayton coach Daven Passalacqua said. "We haven't played well in the field the last few games."
Andrea Ramirez went 2-for-3 and drove in Kenzie Cole for Dayton's only run. Cheyenna Burrows also went 2-for-3, while Cole went 1-for-3.