The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans softball team marked a special occasion with a commanding victory on Friday, April 25, defeating the Valley High School Vikings 15-0 at home. The evening was filled with emotion and excitement, as the team honored its senior players in a heartfelt ceremony before the first pitch.
Seniors Kayleen Carranza, Ava Chiancone, Danika Cox-Hosino, Ryleigh Denton, and Kayla Glenn, along with the team’s senior manager Angelyce Castillo, were recognized for their contributions to the program. Each senior was walked out onto the field by their parents and family members, greeted by teammates, friends, coaches, and fans who applauded their dedication and achievements over the years. The moment was made even more memorable when senior Kayla Glenn threw out the ceremonial first pitch, tossing the ball to her father, David Glenn, in a touching tribute to family support behind the players’ success.
When the game got underway, the Trojans wasted no time setting the tone. Glenn took the circle and kept the Vikings at bay, despite the first batter getting hit by a pitch. The defense quickly locked in, with a strikeout and a perfectly executed caught stealing at second to eliminate any momentum. Another strikeout ended the top half of the first inning cleanly.
In the bottom of the first, the Trojans’ offense exploded. Ryleigh Denton led off with a base hit up the middle and stole second almost immediately. Kayleen Carranza followed with a pop-up that fell safely in front of second base, and with Danika Cox-Hosino hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded. Ava Chiancone was also hit, forcing in the game’s first run. Carranza then stole home on a passed ball, followed by Cox-Hosino scoring on a sacrifice fly from Kayla Glenn. Autumn Colon drew a walk to keep the pressure on, and Evalenne Armendariz reached safely after a miscommunication between the Valley catcher and third baseman. Madison Rodriguez grounded to short, bringing home another run, and after a lineout, Denton walked to reload the bases. Carranza came through again with a hit to right field, scoring Armendariz and Rodriguez to cap a seven-run inning for Pahrump Valley.
The Vikings struggled to find an answer against Glenn’s pitching in the second inning, going down quickly on two groundouts and another strikeout. The Trojans continued to pour on the offense in the bottom half. Chiancone flied out to center to start, but Glenn ripped a hit into left center and later stole her way around the bases. Colon walked on a wild pitch, advancing Glenn to third, and Armendariz followed with a base hit to right field, bringing both Glenn and Colon home. Rodriguez and Saldana were each hit by pitches, loading the bases once again. Denton grounded into a fielder’s choice that still brought in a run, and more runs crossed the plate on passed balls and walks, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 11-0.
Glenn was dominant in the circle in the third, striking out all three batters she faced—two swinging and one looking—to maintain the shutout.
The Trojans made quick work of the bottom of the third to trigger the mercy rule. Glenn opened the inning with a base hit and stole her way to third with Dakota Glenn at bat. Dakota drew a walk, and aggressive baserunning kept Valley off balance. Mariah Gray drove in Kayla Glenn with a ground ball, and Sunday reached on an error, scoring Dakota. After Sunday stole her way around the bases to score another run, Sadie reached on a dropped third strike. Denton then singled to the pitcher to continue the rally. With Carranza up, Sadie stole second, and on Carranza’s infield hit, Sadie crossed the plate to mark the fifteenth run, ending the game under the mercy rule.
It was a fitting finish for a night dedicated to the seniors who have given so much to the Trojan softball program. With regional playoffs on the horizon, the energy and spirit displayed by the team on Friday night offer a promising glimpse at what’s ahead.
