Dayton softball wins tourney

The Dayton High softball team became the champions of the inagural Smith Valley Invitational on Saturday by sweeping past Virginia City 12-3 and Incline 9-4 to claim first place. With the two wins, the Dust Devils are now 10-0 this season.

Freshman Lacy Taylor picked up her first win as a varsity pitcher against the Muckers in the opening game of the day. She went all three innings to pick up the win in the shortened game.

The top hitters for the Dust Devils against Virginia City were Carrie Kordonowy, whow as 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs, and Jennifer Dillie, who was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

In the championship game against the Highlanders, Dillie picked up her ninth win of the season as she pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits while striking out seven Incline batters.

The game against Incline was close through the first four innings, with Dayton holding a slim 2-1 lead. But seven Dust Devil runs in the top of the fifth gave Dillie all of the runs she would need to secure the win.

The top hitters for Dayton in the championship were: Cayla Reese, 3-for-4 with 1 RBI, Kordonowy, 2-for-4 with 1 RBI, Taylor, 2-for-4 with 1 RBI, and Rachel Hurt, 2-for-3 with a double and 2 RBIs.

"I'm pleased with the progress of the team," said Dayton coach Jeanne Utterback, who noted the Dust Devils had several wins to go before matching the best-ever start in school history. "The offense has been very strong. But we still have two more months to go in the season."