VIKINGS GET THE EDGE OVER SPARTANS
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com

(5/1/07 Chico, CA) It took a while for the Pleasant Valley varsity softball team to get its offense in gear, but they were able to earn a 2-1 win over Red Bluff Tuesday at Hooker Oak Field.

The Vikings had the first scoring opportunity in the bottom of the first inning, but it was wiped out when Kelsey Mansfield hit a groundout that left Kendra Cheung stranded at third base. The Spartans had the bases loaded in the top of the second inning, but no one came home as the inning ended on Kayla McConnell's flyout to center field.

Another scoring threat by PV was dashed in the bottom of the second inning when Alexa Richard hit a groundout that left Lindsay Von Moos stranded at third base. Rebecca Valenzuela hit a single to open the third inning for Red Bluff, but she got no further than second base as Von Moos retired the next three batters to end the inning.

The Vikings finally scored in the bottom of the fourth inning when Katie Buzarellos hit a groundout that allowed Brittney Baker to come home from third base. The Spartans tied the contest at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning when Valenzuela's single allowed Brynn Ross to come home. They were unable to take the lead as Valenzuela was later tagged out trying to steal home.

Red Bluff took another shot at taking the lead in the top of the sixth inning, but Jessica Jacobs was tagged out trying to come home on a wild pitch. Pleasant Valley finally got its go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth when Buzarellos hit a double that drove in Mansfield.

Mansfield went 2-for-3 for the Vikings with a pair of singles and scored once. Valenzuela went 2-for-3 for the Spartans with a pair of singles and an RBI. Von Moss pitched the entire game for PV, allowing six hits, striking out four and walking two. McConnell went the distance for Red Bluff, allowing six hits, striking out three, and walking one.