Mountain Valley Hawks Softball Beat SVMS, 14-1
Mountain Valley took care of business in their win over Smithson Valley Middle School, 14-1 last Thursday at the Hawk Diamond.
Lauren Mentzer and Bailey Bryan all smiles after win over Smithson Valley Middle School
The Hawks finished their first round of district games with just one loss to Canyon earlier this season, 10-5.
“We are a smaller school,” Head Coach Jacquelyn Scott stated. “We played scared our first time we faced Canyon and had way too many errors, but we were still within one or two runs before they stretched the lead.”
“We are working from now until next Thursday to get ready for Canyon during the next round,” Coach Scott continued. “We are playing good enough to beat them (Canyon).”
Mountain Valley took the winds out of SV after scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning and a dominating pitching performance from Lauren Mentzer.
Dominating would be described as striking out 11 of the 12 batters faced. Mentzer only pitched 3 balls in that first inning, as she struck out the side.
“I pitched pretty good today,” Fireballer Mentzer said. “But, I have been a lot better.”
Walking only one Ranger and hitting another player resulting in Smithson Valley’s only run was the only damage this team could muster.
Four errors in that first inning to go with 3 hits and a hit batter would be all the Hawks would need in this game with our neighbors to the South.
Another way of understanding how much better MV was than SV would be in the number of outs recorded by each team.
MV racked up 12 outs while SV was able to get only three outs to first. Even when Smithson Valley struck out a Hawk, the MV player would beat a throw to first base after a passed ball to keep their outs to less than the minimum needed.
That 5 run rule was the best friend for Smithson Valley Middle School, as that was their mode of transportation in getting back to their dugout.
Bailey Bryan stole two bases and had two hits and a walk, scoring each time she reached base.
“I am just trying to hit the ball and get on base,” Bryan said nonchalantly. “We are 3-1 and we need to get better and win as a team and play as a team.”
Bryan has speed and being a 7th Grader, Canyon Lake, will certainly be anticipating a visit from another base stealer in another year.
At the plate, batting left handed, Bryan’s game might remind some of Carly Dubois who can briskly get down the first base line converting a bunt into a hit.
Bryan’s game, as well as many more MV Hawks, were very adept in making a bunt a hit.
“I am trying to get to first base as fast as I can,” Bryan said quickly.
All but one Hawk was able to stand on first base after shouldering a bat at the plate.
MVMS Softball is much like all the sports from this school, as this is just another team that plays at a clip that instills dominance over their opponent.
The Hawks will host Canyon at the Hawk Diamond next Thursday and hopefully a better outcome will be realized.
“I have to stay focused and up my game,” Mentzer said in talking about next week and next year. “If I don’t stay focused, then my pitches get out of whack.”
Canyon Lake only lost two players from last year’s club and with the addition of Mentzer, the Hawks will be adding a part of their game not seen in the circle ever for CL.
Two pitchers that have game.
“I want to be a starting pitcher and I will be working hard to up my game next year,” Mentzer closed.
Emily Boylan and Char Hutson also joined Bryan with two hits, while Emma Hinze led the team with 2 rbi.
Mountain Valley will be in action this weekend and then return to Hawkville next Thursday to face Canyon.
This would be a good time to come out and support the future as the Baseball and Softball team’s first pitch is at 6pm.
Go Mountain Valley Hawks!!
1 2 3 4 R H E Smithson Valley MS 0 1 0 0 1 1 5 Mountain Valley MS 5 4 5 x 14 8 1 name ab r h bi bb so sb misc Bailey Bryan 2 3 2 1 1 0 2 Emily Boylan 2 2 2 0 1 0 1 Emma Hinze 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 Lauren Mentzer 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 hbp cr Destiny Molandes 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 Brittany O'Kane 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 roe, ropb Emma Wetz 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 ropb Char Hutson 2 2 2 1 0 0 1 Elisha Orcutt 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 ropb ph Natalie Coranado 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 Daisy Manriquez 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 ph Allie Robinson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 totals 15 14 8 6 6 3 7 pitching ip h r er bb so hb np Lauren Mentzer 4 1 1 0 1 11 1 62 balls/strikes Mentzer 20/62 = 62 legend ropb-reached first base after a strikeout and advancing on a passed ball. roe- reached first base on an error by the defense. hbp-batter was hit by pitch
