No. 1 Page wins double-header against Lady Scouts

PAGE

On Saturday, the Window Rock Lady Scouts traveled to top-ranked Page to face their softball rivals. On that day, the Lady Sand Devils wore pink uniforms for cancer awareness and to honor those afflicted by it in their community.

It was an intense pair of games, with Page winning 1-0 in the first and 3-2 in the second.

It was a very windy day with clouds of sand occasionally being blown onto the field, but both teams said they had been trained for such conditions and adjusted.

During the first game, both teams were almost equal in defense with Page’s offense just a little better. Both team battled through the game, but Page took the lead when Grace Jump hit a single to the center and brought Kylee Sam home, getting the games’ only run.

Jump was also the team’s pitcher, settling down 16 batters while Window Rock pitcher Taylor Shorty finished with four strikeouts.

In the second game, Page got off to an early start, making the first two scores in the bottom of the first.

Brianna Smallcanyon hit a two-run single to centerfield for a 2-0 lead.

Window Rock answered with two-out double from Chamique Bowman in the top of the third and her hit brought in two runs as they Scouts tied the contest 2-2.

In the top of the sixth, Window Rock was close to scoring with runners at second and third but the Lady Sand Devils executed an impressive triple play that ending that threat.

To close out the sixth, Page’s Persephone Whitehair nailed a run-scoring double that ultimately put them ahead for good at 3-2.

Jump pitched for three innings and struck out three batters before Serenity Lamone came as reliever. Lamone finished with one strike out in four innings of work.

For Window Rock, Taylor Shorty pitched through the first six innings and got four strikeouts before Aryissa Hale came in as the next pitcher.

Window Rock coach Cynthia Smiley says she is proud of her team, especially with how close they came of winning the game.

“We did very good on defense, strong defense,” she said. “We just couldn’t get our bat started early, but we finally adjusted and got it going. And I think we did really well. Really well prepared, close scoring. It could have gone either way. ”

She praised her outfielders for fielding some of Page’s deeper hits. She also praised the whole team for stepping up as they had to sit down players due to injuries.

Smiley said they’re taking it one game at a time and they’re looking forward to the team’s next game.

Page’s coach Sunni Crank was just as happy with her team’s performance.

“They did good. They came out; you know, ready to put up a battle,” she said. “And they did both games. I think they came out, start to end played strong never gave up.”

She credited Jump with being their ace pitcher, leading them through the first game and part way through the second. She also acknowledged the play of Selena Miller for being their top hitter.

She was also impressed with the girls when they work together for that huge triple play in the sixth inning of the second game.

Page also took on some injuries during the game, but neither team had suffered serious injuries and the players are expected to recover before their next respective games.

“You know, at the beginning, it took us some time to find our team rhythm or chemistry,” Crank said. “Now that we’re on a roll I think the only people who believe this ourselves as long as we continue coming out every day, putting in the work playing card and never given up.”

At press time, Page extended its winning streak to 14 games after beating St. Johns, 9-1, in a freedom game on Tuesday afternoon. The Sand Devils are currently the No. 1 team in the 3A North.

Window Rock, meanwhile, is No. 2 in the 3A North with 11 wins under their belt, which includes a 15-10 win over Monument Valley on Monday.

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