The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans softball team showcased both their power and resilience in a two-game stretch last week, earning a decisive shutout win before coming up just short in a high-scoring showdown.
On Wednesday, April 9, the Trojans hosted the Canyon Springs Pioneers and delivered a commanding 16-0 victory. The Pahrump bats were hot from the start, racking up 16 hits, including triples by Madison Rodriguez, Evalenne Armendariz, and Danika Cox-Hosino. The offense tallied 13 RBIs in the shutout win.
Pitcher Kayla Glenn was dominant on the mound, facing just nine batters and striking out four in a flawless outing. The game demonstrated the Trojans’ depth and offensive strength as they controlled all aspects from the circle to the plate.
Two days later, the Trojans traveled to Las Vegas to take on the SLAM Bulls in a much tighter contest, ultimately falling 11-10 in a back-and-forth battle.
Pahrump got off to a fast start in the first inning, scoring three runs off a string of base hits. Autumn Colon led off with a single, followed by hits from Danika Cox-Hosino and Evalenne Armendariz, who drove in the first run. Riley Saldaña knocked in another with an RBI single, and Mariah Gray added a third RBI to close the half inning.
SLAM responded aggressively, capitalizing on a walk and a three-run homer to jump ahead 5-3. Despite allowing five runs, the Trojans ended the inning on a high note with catcher Madison Rodriguez throwing out a runner at third.
After being shut down in the second inning, the Trojans allowed another two-run homer by SLAM’s cleanup hitter, giving the Bulls a 7-3 lead. Pahrump bounced back in the third inning, tacking on three runs, highlighted by timely hits from Armendariz, Saldaña, and Rodriguez.
In the bottom of the third, Evalenne Armendariz came in as relief pitcher and helped slow SLAM’s offense after two runs scored, with strong defensive plays including another heads-up throw from Rodriguez to catch a runner off base. The Bulls ended the inning up 9-6.
The fourth inning saw the Trojans come roaring back. After Colon and Cox-Hosino reached base, Riley Saldaña smashed a three-run homer to tie the game. Rodriguez and Ava Chiancone added hits, putting the Trojans up 10-9. The Bulls were kept off the board in the bottom of the fourth as Pahrump’s defense held firm.
The game remained tight through the fifth, with both teams scoreless. In the sixth, the Trojans stranded two runners, and SLAM capitalized on a double, base hit, and fielding error to score twice and retake the lead 11-10.
Despite their best efforts in the top of the seventh, the Trojans couldn’t bring another run across. SLAM’s defense closed the door, sealing the narrow win in what was a thriller of a matchup.
With one dominant win and one heartbreaker, the Trojans proved they’re a force to be reckoned with as they move deeper into their season, showing both the firepower and fight that define their team.
*Photos are from games earlier this season.
