Fourteen runs in the first two innings put the game to bed for the Camp Verde High School softball team at Verde Valley rival Sedona Red Rock High School, winning 20-0 in five innings on Friday, March 31.
The Cowboys [7-1, 2-0 Central], who held the Scorpions to one hit, recently made some changes to its starting defense and have outscored their opponents 42-4 in just two games of Central Region play while being able to plug and play with its hitters and defenders.
“We have a basic starting lineup and we are able to filter the rest in,” Camp Verde head coach Henry Smith said. “My plan, my goal is to never miss a beat.”
Camp Verde senior shortstop Kayla Hackett doubled to start the game, stole third and scored on a Scorpions error. Three walks, three singles and a sacrifice fly opened a 6-0 lead.
Red Rock did get its lead batter on base after an error by Cowboys right fielder Hailey Moore, but a ground out and consecutive strikeouts for freshman pitcher Jacy Finley ended the inning.
Five more runs were scored before the first out was recorded in the second. Up for the second time in as many innings, Hackett singled and scored on an error. A single and a walk loaded the bases for Amber Dodge, who hit a base-clearing double and scored on the same play after an error to inflate the lead to 12-0.
Senior center fielder Tiauna Day doubled to restart the wave of runs, scoring on a double at the next at bat. Hackett, batting for a third time, grounded out but sophomore third baseman Tyra Smith singled, and the Cowboys led 14-0.
Henry Smith talked about his team having discipline, which was one of the goals of the game. Despite the lopsided victory, he stresses to the players to take advantage of every chance they have to get better.
“We know who’s capable of doing what and when they can hit in certain situations,” Smith said. “For the most part we understand who plays where and what to do in certain situations.”
Camp Verde’s defense retired six straight Scorpions, while scoring six more runs in the fourth inning, four off of two home runs. Hackett hit a two-run shot before Jade Oium did the same three batters later.
A ground out plated the final Cowboys run, and by then many substitutes had come into the game. Smith knows that he has more than just nine legitimate players, and wants to take advantage of all of their strengths while also transmitting the idea that each has their own role. At any one time a player can be used to complete a certain job.
“In the past a lot of players were pretty position-specific,” Smith said. “With this team here most can play a lot of positions … now it’s a matter of plugging [the players] in situations.”
With nothing but 10 regional and two nonleague games left between them and the state tournament, the players are conscious of the fact that now is the time to dial in.
“Every game is one game closer to the end, so now it’s crunch time,” Day said.
