The Lady Dragon softball team finally had a week to slow down after trying to fit in games after a late start to the spring season.  The week’s play featured only their home tournament where they defeated West Jefferson and American Falls. The annual Malad Invitational Scott Ray softball tournament honors and celebrates Coach Ray who was instrumental in starting the traveling softball team for players age fourteen and under.  In 1997, Coach Ray stepped up as the high school softball coach, earning 12 consecutive district titles and taking his team to the State Championship game multiple years.  

In their opening game of the tournament, the Lady Dragons held their own as the West  Jefferson Panthers brought a solid game of hitting, fielding and pitching, demanding Malad to play at the top of their game.  Malad began the scoring for the game, getting one run early in the first inning.  Riglee Peterson, first up to bat, found herself on second base after a single hit and advanced on an error.  Peterson made her way to third base as Aubrey Shultz grounded out to first base on the next at bat.  As Graycee Goddard was at the plate next, Peterson took advantage of a wild pitch to score the Dragons first run of the game.

The Panthers didn’t respond with their own run until the third inning where they tied the score, 1-1.  The single score came after West Jefferson’s left fielder, Pancheri, managed a triple on the team’s first at bat of the inning.  

It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth inning that Malad was able to take the lead back.  Bostyn Combs, on base after hitting a single to center field, was able to advance to second base after a West Jefferson error.  Hallie Horlsey, next in the batting order, singled to shortstop, providing Combs the means to make her way to third base.  Kaitlyn Pickett followed at the plate, singling on a line drive to center field and batting in both Combs and Horsley to bring the score 3-1.  Both teams tallied one more run in the fifth and final inning of the game.  Hadlee Summers, first to bat for the Lady Dragons in the last inning, scored in just two plays by stealing home as Shultz was up to bat.  

Peterson was once again at the mound pitching for Malad.  Over five innings, the hurler allowed two runs on eight hits, striking out seven of the 22 batters she faced.  Pickett led the defense with eight putouts as catcher with Horsley adding another four from first base.

Malad jumped to a quick lead in their next game against American Falls, scoring three runs in the first inning by Peterson, Schulz, and Combs.  American Falls hung in there with Malad, scoring two runs to close out the inning.  As the Lady Dragons returned to hitting in the second inning, they added two more runs by Peterson and Shulz.  

The Lady Dragons continued putting distance between themselves and the Beavers on the scoreboard as they played through the third inning.  With Beth McClain on second after being walked on base by American Falls pitcher and advancing to second on a wild pitch, Peterson hit a home run to bat in McClain and bring the score to 7-3.  Combs and Horsley added two more runs in the fourth inning, with Goddard, Horsley and Adley Kimberling bringing in the final three runs of the game in the sixth inning.

 Coach Christie Schow changed up her defense to begin the game, sending Combs to the pitcher's mound, Pickett from behind the plate to left field, Peterson to shortstop and Shulz as catcher.  She continued to shift her players throughout the game, giving Horsley a chance to pitch and Pickett a look at being first baseman.  Peterson returned to pitch to close out the second inning and remained for the final three innings.  Schulz led the team with putouts, getting seven from behind home plate.  Peterson led the team in hitting, getting three runs on three hits on five at bats while batting in two of her teammates.

After the tournament was over, Coach Schow said, “Winning the game against West Jefferson was a big moment for us. We have played them the last two years for the state title, so it was nice to come out and win against them. The girls really played so well.”