Softball: Hot Shots win a pair of close ones

Winning games doesn't come easy for the Carson Valley Hot Shots. They usually find themselves tied or behind in the first half of a game, only to stage a big rally late in the game to win.

The Gardnerville-based squad followed that script Wednesday and notched two close wins to reach the winner's bracket semifinals of the 14-B Division at the National Softball Association Western World Series at Centennial Park.

In its morning game, the Hot Shots snapped a 1-all tie with three runs in the sixth en route to a 4-1 win over the Desert Valley Dynomite. In its second game, the Hot Shots pushed across a run in the sixth to edge the Elko Inferno 2-1.

The Hot Shots will meet the Fallon Elite today at 2 at Centennial.

"We're a come-from-behind team," said Tom Keck, the Hot Shots head coach. "I know they are going to hit once they get used to the pitching. Desert Valley has always played us tough. This was the sixth or seventh time we've played them this year."

Katie Kluever gave the Hot Shots a 1-0 lead with her first-inning double. She was, however, thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Hot Shots starter Kalee Duryee was nicked for a run on Jordan King's two-out single.

The game stayed deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth.

Amanda Caras singled and scored on Kaylee Duryee's double to the gap in right-center field. The other two runs scored on an error and a stolen base by Jenna Geyer.

Duryee, who retired 12 of the last 14 hitters she faced, didn't allow a ball out of the infield in the last inning. She struck out four, walked three and allowed only four hits.

Caras led the Hot Shots with three hits, while Kluever and Duryee added two apiece.

In the nightcap, it was Chelsea Fent's time to dominate on the mound. She fanned seven and walked only one to pick up her second win of the tournament.

The Hot Shots led 1-0 in the third, but Elko rebounded with a run in the sixth to tie the contest.

With one out, Caras singled, reached second on an infield out, stole third and scored the game-winner on a single by Geyer.