Eagles softball tied for first

keeping ’em in check:
Smart fielding by West Valley kept the Yreka softball team from scoring on Tuesday.

After a close start, an Eagles fifth-inning scoring rally put away the Miners with a 6-0 win on Tuesday.

West Valley got themselves out of a jam in the first inning when Yreka managed to get runners on second and third base with only one out.

But a pop-up foul caught by catcher Amber Buchanan, and a strikeout by pitcher Cassidy Olson, ended the inning before Yreka could cause any damage.

Pitcher Olson got into her groove by the second inning, striking Yreka batters out with grace. She continued to put them away from then on - with a game total of 16 strikeouts.

West Valley players, however, connected with the ball from the get-go. Eagles Melanie Andrew, Amy Westaby and Kaylin Miner each hit a single in the second inning, but smart Yreka fielding blocked the Eagles from turning their hits into runs.

The Eagles first run came in the third when Cassidy Horner made an RBI double on two-outs.

But West Valley's scoring spree didn't pick up until the fifth inning, when they scored their final 5 runs.

Olson got the momentum going with a solo homer. Haylee Turpin and Hanna Emmen followed up with singles. Then Cassidy Horner hit a RBI double.

The Eagles rally prompted the Miners to switch out their pitcher. But that didn't slow down the Eagles. Buchanan hit a 2 RBI double on the Miners first pitch. Melanie Andrew continued with a single before the inning wrapped up.

The game ended in a 6-0 Eagles shutout.

Loss to Lassen

On Thursday, West Valley had a tough 0-3 loss to Lassen.

The loss puts them head to head with the Grizzlies. The teams are now tied for first with a 6-1 league record.

Lassen had seven hits against West Valley. The Eagles had six hits against the Grizzlies, but couldn't turn them into runs.