The Pahrump Valley High School softball team made it a clean sweep over Boulder City on Wednesday, April 15, closing out the two-game series with a 3-0 road win behind strong pitching and timely offense.
The victory not only secured the sweep following Monday’s win at home, but also extended the Lady Trojans’ current run to eight straight wins. Pahrump now sits firmly at No. 1 in the 3A South, continuing to build momentum behind one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the state.
The game opened as a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to generate early offense. Pahrump’s first inning saw Aspen Middaugh retired on an interference call, followed by groundouts from Riley Saldaña and Jaycie Hayes to end the frame.
Evalenne Armendariz took the circle in the bottom half and worked around a leadoff walk, getting help from her defense. Olivia Veloz and Mariah Gray combined to catch a runner attempting to steal third, and Armendariz finished the inning with a strikeout to keep Boulder City off the board.
The Trojans continued to search for their rhythm offensively in the second. Mariah Gray grounded out before Armendariz drew a walk, but a strikeout and a runner caught stealing ended the inning without damage.
Boulder City threatened in the bottom of the second, putting multiple runners on base with two singles and a sacrifice bunt. But the Trojans stayed composed defensively. A key fly-out to center caught by Saldaña ended the inning, stranding runners and preserving the scoreless tie.
In the third, Olivia Veloz provided a spark with a single, later advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Sadie Freeman. Middaugh was hit by a pitch to put two runners on, but a strikeout ended the threat.
Armendariz answered with a strong bottom half, striking out one and inducing a groundout to Madison Rodriguez at third before working around an intentional walk to keep the Eagles off the board.
Both teams remained locked in a pitcher’s duel through the fourth and fifth innings. Jaycie Hayes reached in the fourth with a single and advanced to third on an error, but the Trojans couldn’t bring her home. Defensively, Pahrump remained sharp, with clean plays from Jaelyn Rodriguez at first and steady work from Armendariz in the circle limiting Boulder City’s opportunities.
The Eagles mounted their best threat in the fifth, capitalizing on an error and back-to-back singles to load the bases. But once again, the Trojans delivered under pressure. Armendariz forced a fielder’s choice at the plate, with Gray applying the tag to cut down the lead runner, and the defense followed with a groundout to escape the inning unscathed.
The breakthrough finally came in the sixth.
Middaugh led off with a double to left, setting the tone for the inning. After a popout, Hayes put the ball in play and reached on an error, allowing Middaugh to race home for the game’s first run. Moments later, Mariah Gray delivered a line-drive single to keep the pressure on, and Armendariz followed with a clutch hit to left that brought Hayes home and extended the lead to 2-0.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Trojans turned to Hayes in the circle in the bottom of the sixth. She delivered a dominant inning, striking out all three batters she faced to shut down any chance of a response.
Pahrump added an insurance run in the seventh. Madison Rodriguez doubled to start the inning, and after a sacrifice bunt from Olivia Veloz moved her to third, Sadie Freeman brought her home with a groundout to make it 3-0.
Hayes returned to the circle in the bottom of the seventh and finished the job. After a quick groundout, she struck out the final two batters to seal the victory and complete the shutout.
The Trojans’ pitching duo of Armendariz and Hayes once again proved to be the difference. Armendariz set the tone early with a composed, efficient outing, while Hayes closed the door in dominant fashion. Their performances reflect what has been a standout season in the circle across the board.
Statewide in the 3A division, Hayes continues to lead the way with 179 strikeouts and 10 wins, while also ranking second in earned run average at 1.59. She has also recorded three no-hitters this season, the most in the division. Armendariz has been equally impactful, currently sitting fifth in the state with seven wins and ranking fourth in ERA at 1.96.
That dominance in the circle has become the foundation of Pahrump’s success, giving the Trojans a steady edge every time they take the field and allowing the rest of the lineup to play with confidence.
With the 3-0 win, the Lady Trojans complete the sweep of Boulder City, extend their win streak to eight games, and continue to hold the top spot in the 3A South as they build momentum heading deeper into the season.
