Douglas High's Bri Williams turns on one of her two hits Thursday afternoon against Reno.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
Reno High softball gave Douglas High all it could handle in the opening round of the Class 5A regional tournament.
Despite the upset bid from the seven seed, the Tigers held Reno off the scoreboard behind a 16-strikeout performance from Talia Tretton.
The 1-0 win Thursday concluded Douglas’ first day of the regional tourney and sets up a meet with No. 3 McQueen Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Bishop Manogue High School.
Ten days prior to Friday’s regional second round contest, the Lancers used a four-run inning to defeat the Tigers.
Douglas won the previous three meetings against McQueen 11-0, 13-6 and 6-0.
“In the playoffs it’s a different story,” said Douglas head coach John Glover. “It’s the regional tournament. That’s how they go sometimes.”
The only run of the game came in the fourth inning.
Ryleigh Blaire singled on a 1-0 pitch, scoring Cam McClelland – who was courtesy running for Tretton.
Tretton, Blaire and Bri Williams each had two hits while the rest of the Tiger lineup managed one.
Reno’s Sofia Pardue posted seven strikeouts of her own, but Douglas’ sophomore hurler shut down any chance the Huskies had.
In the seventh inning, a walk and an error allowed Reno to move its base runners to second and third on a sacrifice bunt.
With one out and two in scoring position, Tretton threw six pitches for strikes and closed the door on the upset bid.
“You have to tip you hat to Tal, she had a great day in the circle,” said Glover.Along with the 16 strikeouts, Tretton gave up one hit and walked one batter.
UP NEXT: Douglas will be playing at least two games Friday. With a win over McQueen, the Tigers would meet the winner of No. 1 Spanish Springs and No. 5 Reed at 4:30 p.m. in the regional semifinal. A second win Friday would punch the Tigers’ ticket to state. 
(Talia Tretton hurls a pitch during her 16-strikeout performance against Reno High in the first round of the Class 5A regional softball tournament Thursday. / Carter Eckl)
