Dayton High sophomore LaSade Conti hurls a pitch against Elko on Friday. Conti has 142 strikeouts over 73.2 innings with a 3.42 ERA.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
Dayton High School softball is in the midst of its best season since 2019, sitting with an 11-10 record after a three-game series this past weekend with Elko.
Despite dropping all three to the league foe, the Dust Devils still have a chance to make the Class 3A North regional tournament if they can put together some quality results against Lowry this weekend.
The Buckaroos are 4-8 in league play while the Dust Devils are 3-9.
Whichever squad can gain the upper hand this weekend will be able to cement its spot in the postseason.
Dayton’s on-field success has come from a number of areas on the diamond.
(Dayton senior Kali Stott hit a two-run homer Friday against Elko. Stott is hitting .439 with 11 extra-base hits. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal
Finding their stride
As a team, Dayton’s offense has been dramatically improved.
That success can be credited up and down the roster as the Dust Devils team batting average has increased from .341 in 2023 to .412 this spring.
One of the most notable changes in approach has come from middle infielder and senior captain Kali Stott.
Stott smoked a two-run homer Friday over the left-center field wall against Elko, tallying her third home run of the season and 11th extra-base hit.
In 2023, Stott had a total of four hits and one RBI.
“Last year I feel like I wasn’t confident. I didn’t believe I could hit. I didn’t feel like I could hit and so I would just swing with no intention,” said Stott. “This year, I’m actually locking in and making those corrections my coaches have taught me.”
Along with her 11 extra-base hits, Stott is hitting .439 this spring after posting a .077 batting average last season.
Sophomore hurler LaSade Conti has been another effective contributor.
After her first 25 at-bats, Conti led the nation in batting average (.839).
Though she no longer is top in the nation at the plate, Conti is hitting .642 this season with four home runs after last spring where she put up an average of .392.
In the circle, she’s been even better, amassing 142 strikeouts over 73.2 innings to lead Class 3A.
She mixes a low-to-mid 60s fastball with a changeup, screwball, rise ball and a few other breaking pitches.
“My stats have definitely picked up from last year,” said Conti. “As a pitcher, I’m trying to read what they’re going to do.”
Her catcher, junior Dana Micone, has been the epitome of consistent, putting together a .475 clip at the plate with 11 doubles. As a sophomore, Micone hit near .600 for the spring and had five home runs as well.
Micone, who has shown her durability this season, had high praise for her sophomore pitcher.
“I’ve seen that girl get (hit) in the hip and still make the out at first,” Micone said. “On the ground, holding her hip and make the throw to first. She has heart and she leaves it all on the field every time.”
Micone’s positivity has been influential on Conti when she’s in the circle.
“Dana is a very positive catcher. She will pick me up even if I’m at my lowest,” said Conti.
A push for the postseason
The Dust Devils have had sizeable contributions elsewhere, too.
Senior Zoee Wass (.422 batting average) and freshman Donnita Wass (.362) have both been steady at the plate with a combined 10 extra-base hits.
Meanwhile, nearly every other hitter in the lineup has an average above .300.
(Dayton High catcher Dana Micone lines a ball to the outfield Friday against Elko. Micone leads the Dust Devils with 11 doubles. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)