The Pahrump Valley High School softball team put together a strong all-around performance on the road Tuesday, April 28, earning a decisive win over Needles behind dominant pitching from Jaycie Hayes and a lineup that came alive early and often.
Pahrump Valley wasted little time getting traffic on the bases in the top of the first. Aspen Middaugh led things off with a single, and Jaycie Hayes followed with a base hit of her own to put two runners aboard. While the Trojans couldn’t push a run across in the opening frame, the early contact set the tone.
In the bottom half, Hayes took control in the circle. After issuing a leadoff walk, she quickly settled in, striking out three of the next four batters to strand the runner and keep the game scoreless.
The Trojans broke through in a big way in the second inning. Evalenne Armendariz ignited the offense with a solo home run to center field, giving Pahrump Valley a 1-0 lead. After a pair of outs, the lineup turned over and the momentum continued. Sadie Freeman worked a walk, Middaugh dropped down a bunt single, and Riley Saldaña delivered a clutch RBI single to bring in a run. Moments later, Hayes came through again, driving in two more runs with a hard-hit single to extend the lead to 4-0.
Needles managed to answer in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to plate a run, but Hayes limited the damage with another strikeout to end the inning.
Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the third, with Hayes continuing to dominate. She struck out the side around a fly out, showing command of the strike zone and keeping Needles hitters off balance.
Pahrump Valley’s offense erupted again in the fourth inning. After two quick outs, Saldaña sparked the rally with a solo home run to center field. Hayes followed with a double, and Madison Rodriguez reached on a walk to keep things moving. Mariah Gray then delivered an RBI single to score Hayes, and Armendariz capped the inning with a two-run double, stretching the Trojans’ lead to 8-1.
Needles showed some fight in the bottom of the fourth, taking advantage of a couple of defensive errors to score two runs. Still, Hayes limited further damage, recording another strikeout to strand runners and maintain control of the game.
From there, the Trojans’ defense and pitching took over. Hayes was nearly untouchable in the fifth and sixth innings, racking up strikeouts and allowing little solid contact. She worked efficiently through both frames, continuing to pile up strikeouts and keep Needles from mounting any kind of comeback.
Offensively, Pahrump Valley continued to put pressure on with baserunners in the later innings, drawing walks and forcing defensive plays, even if additional runs didn’t cross.
In the seventh, the Trojans looked to add on as Jaelyn Rodriguez reached on a walk, but Needles recorded the final outs to send the game to the bottom half.
Hayes finished what she started in the circle, striking out two more batters in the seventh before inducing a groundout to seal the victory.
On the day, Hayes delivered a dominant performance, piling up strikeouts inning after inning while limiting Needles to minimal scoring opportunities. At the plate, Armendariz and Saldaña both homered, while Hayes helped her own cause with multiple RBIs. Middaugh also stood out at the top of the lineup, consistently getting on base and setting the tone offensively.
It was a complete team effort for the Trojans, combining timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and a strong presence in the circle to secure the road win.
*Pictures are from a different game this season.
