Las Vegas Jamboree Wrap-Up: Christian splits; Norse have rough outing

By Adam Paul
Updated: April 14, 2022

2022 EAST COUNTY PREP SOFTBALL

By Adam Paul

LAS VEGAS (4-14-22) – A late rally by the Christian Patriots would lead to an eventual 9-7 victory on Thursday afternoon over the Valhalla Norsemen in the second game of the day in the Las Vegas Jamboree.

Valhalla early on would score the first pair of runs courtesy of a tag up on a sacrifice fly by Devyn Ruffer that allowed Maryn Jordan to tag up and race home which was followed by a solo home run by McKayla Fish over the center field fence to make it 2-0.

The Patriots though would answer with a run in the bottom of the inning thanks to Allyson Moody who doubled in Tyler Krystek to cut the lead 2-1.

But the Norsemen would answer right back in the top of the second inning as Nayeli Chappa scored on an error and RBI double by Jordan to extend the lead 4-1.

Valhalla would go on to extend the lead to 5-1 in the top of the third courtesy of an RBI single by Brooke Tucci that plated Bella Moscoso. Despite trailing the Patriots would push back as they scored a run in the bottom of the inning thanks to an error by the Norsemen that allowed Krystek to come in and score to make it 5-2.

However, Valhalla again would extend their lead this time in the top of the fifth inning courtesy of a two-run blast by Jordan which made it 7-2.

But that didn’t stop Christian as they etched another run across in the bottom of the inning when Jordyn Krystek drove in Kaitlyn Moody to make it 7-3.

Late in the game still trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning the Patriots knew they were running out of opportunities. Well, their luck started off strong as Chloe Hessom and Giselle Colmenero hit back-to-back singles to start the inning.

With runners on first and second and one out, Kate Manes was able to advance them as she singled to right field to load the bases. Things really picked up for the Patriots as Tyler Krystek would double in both Hessom and Colmenerow which was followed by a two-run single by Rachel Stephens to tie the game up at 7-7.

Now with all the momentum in their favor, the Patriots knew they were in the driver’s seat and they pushed the momentum even further as both Stephens and Allyson Moody stole both second and third.

The batter Ashley Wood with runners on second and third after the successful double steal was able to lay down the perfect bunt that allowed Stephens to score and also Moody would score the game-winning run on the play.

CENTENNIAL 5, CHRISTIAN 3

Nevada (4-14-22) – Earlier in the day the Centennial Bulldogs rallied with three runs over the third thru fifth innings to beat the Christian Patriots on Thursday.

Christian early on would lead 2-0 in the top of the first inning thanks to back-to-back one-out hits by Tyler Krystek and Rachel Stephens. Both runners would advance up due to defensive indifference which led to Krystek scoring on a wild pitch and Stephens later scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Allyson Moody.

However, the Bulldogs would tie the game at 2-2 on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning.

But the Patriots again would retake the lead in the top of the third inning as Lucy Sherburne led off with a triple and would come into score on a sacrifice fly by Kaitlyn Moody to give them a 3-2 lead.

A solo home run in the bottom of the third by the Bulldogs tied the game at 3-3, an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth would give them a 4-3 lead and an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth rounded out the scoring.

CENTENNIAL 8, VALHALLA 1

Nevada (4-14-22) – Falling behind early and being limited to two hits on the day doomed the Valhalla Norsemen as they fell to the Centennial Bulldogs on Thursday.

Trailing 3-0 the Valhalla Norsemen in the top of the fourth would score their only run as Cadyn Ruffer successfully stole home to make it 3-1.

Centennial would tack on five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to pull away for good.