Silverado earns another state tourney berth

Victoria Sun

Thursday, May 9, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Seven consecutive trips to the 4A State Tournament haven't bred complacency for the Silverado High School softball team.

The Skyhawks upped the number to eight with a 5-1 win over Las Vegas High Wednesday afternoon in the 4A Sunrise Region Tournament at Stephanie Lynn Craig Field.

"It's a thrill every time we make it to state," Silverado shortstop Lindsey Pridgen said before adding, "That's no joke."

The Skyhawks improved to 30-8 while the Wildcats dropped to 26-9.

Pridgen had two hits including an RBI double in the first inning and scored a run in the same inning giving the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead.

Silverado pitcher Morgan Miller struck out seven batters and said the team is fully aware of the school's storied softball program.

"It's a rich tradition we have," Miller said. "We definitely didn't want to be the team not to qualify for state."

They avoided that distinction by being aggressive offensively and making some heady plays on defense.

Las Vegas had multiple opportunities to score, but couldn't capitalize.

In the third inning, the Wildcats stranded runners on second and third after Morgan struck out Marsh Rollins and Ashley Ogle popped up to second baseman Julie Brand.

Silverado catcher Liz Young picked off a runner at second base in the fifth inning for the third out and Young picked off another runner at second for the second out to spoil Las Vegas' momentum.

"Those are plays we work on all the time and that's what they executed today," Silverado assistant coach Jerome Streets said.

Miller thought the two pick-off plays helped preserve the victory.

"I knew they had big hitters," Miller said. "I certainly didn't take them lightly.

"Anytime you can pick some one off it's a big deal. Those two plays were huge."

Silverado first baseman Cassie Koenig went 3-for-3 with three RBIs.

Silverado built on its 3-1 lead with two more in the sixth inning.

Las Vegas pitcher Sara Minnear surrendered four consecutive hits, the last of which was Koenig's hard-hit single to left scoring two runs.

"These girls are playing real aggressive," Streets said. "They want to hit. I can see it in their eyes. That's made all the difference."

Las Vegas scored its only run in the second inning on Caroline Fernandez's line drive to right field before she was thrown out at first.

The Skyhawks advance to play Eldorado today at 5 p.m. The Sundevils stayed in the winner's bracket with a 1-0 win over Basic on Wednesday.

In Sunset Region action, Centennial outlasted Bonanza 1-0 in 10 innings. The Bulldogs will face Palo Verde, a 6-0 victor over Durango, today at 5 p.m.