The Lake Havasu High School softball team started the season 2-0 by defeating Cofa 4-1 on Tuesday in the team's first home game.
“It was so exciting (to be at home). I knew the girls were going to be looking forward to playing at home. The Switch ended up going to a 4 p.m. game this year, and even more. We got a few fans together and got a lot of noise,” head coach Cassidy Fitzgerald said. “It was a great game. The girls did everything I asked them to do, they did the little things right, they took two balls off the wall, so I was really excited to start the season.”
Since it was their first home game, the players were confident and ready to fight aggressively for victory.
“I think the girls were very confident knowing it was just at home. Alaina Johnson came on in the first inning and we allowed one run, but she got the shutout right after that. ” Fitzgerald said. “It was no problem at all and I don't think it had anything to do with nerves. They were aggressive early on, but we came right back. So I think they were ready for it.”
Of the six times the Knights went on offense, only two were scoreless overall.
“There were only two games where we didn't score. That's what I tell my girls, play every inning. We don't play all seven games or innings at once.” Fitzgerald said. “We just try to win every inning. If we can score more runs than our opponent every inning, we know we can win the ballgame.”
Johnson pitched a full seven innings, giving up five hits, one run, one walk, and one run, with seven strikeouts. Leah Huffman and Haley Martin each had a double in the game, and Savannah Primeau went 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
“Alayna had a great performance on the mound. Haley and Leah hit the ball against the wall, Marissa Rodriguez and Kylie Gallo set up a couple of big bunts for the senior runners, and we had a big bunt in the second half of the game. “We were able to take advantage of that,” Fitzgerald said.
The Knights will play their second home game of the week against Casa Grande on Friday at 4 p.m., before heading to Kingman on Saturday.
“I'm really excited to play two home games and play against Lee Williams on Saturday,” Fitzgerald said.
