Carson softball sweeps Hug

Kendra Carlsen tossed an opening-game no-hitter to give Carson High School an 11-0 win over visiting Lowry on Saturday, and then the Senators came back to win the second game 15-3 and earn a Northern 4A softball sweep.

Carlsen struck out six hitters in the five-inning opener and cruised to the victory. Nicole Freeman highlighted the Senator offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Brandi Cotroneo, Jina Padilla and Kellie Karasek all had two RBIs as well for Carson in the opener. Chrissy Joseph and Cotroneo both had multiple hits for the Senators, who scored three runs in the first inning and seven more in the seventh.

"Lowry's taken their lumps this year, but they played OK today," Carson coach John Sullivan said. "We hit the ball well early, and that was important because we could get all of our players in. Everyone got to hit today."

In the second game, Carson got things going with nine runs in the bottom of the first. After Lowry scored three unearned runs in the top of the second, Carson answered with five more runs to put the game on track for the five-inning mercy rule.

Melissa Stone struck out two hitters and picked up the win, improving her record to 6-1 with season.

Tricia Hudgins was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Freeman was 2-for-3 with a homer and five RBIs. Lissell Fitzhenry, Lindsey Perondi, Amanda Hoff, Joseph, Cotroneo and Kali Risi all picked up hits for Carson.

Carson improved to 12-5 in Northern 4A play and faces a set of three important games this week. The Senators will travel to rival Douglas for a Thursday game at 3:30 p.m., then host Reed in a doubleheader this Saturday.

"This is a real big week for us," Sullivan said.

Galena13-4, Hug 0-0

RENO - The Grizzlies cruised in the first game before taking the second game in eight innings and earning a Northern 4A sweep.

Kirsten Drury went the distance in the opener, striking out six to improve her record to 3-0 on the season. Teresa Miller was 2-for-3 with a homer and RBI, while Tiffany Kristie was 3-for-4 with three doubles.

Galena broke through for all four of its runs in the eighth inning of the second game. Jenn Molinari went the distance to get the win and up her record to 7-4, striking out 10 Hug batters. Monica Dietz was 1-for-4 and drove in three of Galena's runs in the eighth.

Galena (13-6, 11-4 Northern 4A) travels to face McQueen at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.