Sierra Snavely checked another accomplishment off the list of high school softball firsts.
The freshman pitcher threw a complete-game one-hitter to notch her first shutout of her career in Iola’s 4-0 win over Central Heights in their home opener.
“She is getting used to me calling pitches and I’m getting used to her locations,” Fillies coach Chris Weide said. “Everything I call, she throws where we need it and (catcher Ashlie) Shields does a great job being a great defensive catcher.”
Snavely — who has pitched every inning that the Fillies have played this year — was staked to an early lead when shortstop Sydney Wade singled to lead-off the bottom of the first inning. The junior stole second and advanced to third on an error on the throw from the Vikings’ catcher.
A Shields single scored Wade.
Shields tried to follow the example Wade set and attempted to swipe second, but a strong throw from Viking catcher Cotter was able to get Shields out at second. Seeing Shields thrown out had an effect on the the Fillies’ game plan for the remainder of the game and the second game.
“Every game we want to be aggressive,” Weide said. “When one of your fastest girls gets thrown out at second, you rethink it a little bit.”
The Fillies added a pair of runs in the third inning when Jaydn Sigg and Riley Murry each scored runs to build the lead to 3-0.
“(Sigg) had a couple of really good hits,” Shields said. “She was there when we needed her.”
That lead proved plenty large enough for Snavely to hold. Snavely struck nine Viking hitters out in her seven innings in game one.
“She had some really good pitches,” Shields said.
A Wade triple with one out in the sixth inning put her in position to add an insurance run for Iola. Shields drove in Wade with a single to give the team a 4-0 lead.
“(Wade) and I have always been at the top of the order, sometimes I leadoff, sometimes she does and we have a lot of confidence,” Shields said.
The Fillies maintained that lead and the game ended with a four-run Iola victory.
While game one was a chance to cruise to a comfortable victory, game two was a very different scenario. The Fillies lost 9-8 to Central Heights.
Central Heights jumped on the freshman hurler and scored a run in the very first inning.
While Iola gave up only that one run in the first inning, the third inning proved difficult for Snavely and her defense.
