Dragons Edge Valley Park

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

VALLEY PARK — The Ste. Genevieve High School softball team earned its first victory of the season on Saturday, downing host Valley Park 12-11.

Ste. Genevieve R-II School District athletic director Dr. Jeff Nix added this game to the Dragons’ schedule before the regular season began.

Ste. Genevieve head softball coach Russell Toombs was pleased to see the Dragons bounce back for a win — especially after last Wednesday’s heart-breaking 9-7 home loss to West County.

Bailey Deck smacked her second straight home run in as many games to help lift the Dragons (1-2).

“Bailey has had a great start to the season at the plate,” Toombs said regarding the right fielder. “If she gets a ball in the zone, she can hit it a long way. Getting her to be patient and adjust to the change-up will be key to her continuing the early success she has had.”

Deck produced four RBI as part of a 2-for-4 performance, with two runs scored.

Both Brynna Wehner and Izzy Basler pushed across three runs. Morgan Schwent provided three RBI, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Mineral Area College signee Brittney Kreitler scored two runs and had a pair of RBI.

Autumn Basler pitched the seventh inning, picking up the win for the Dragons — striking out the side in the process.

“It was nice to get a game in on Saturday to try and forget about the sting from the West County loss,” Toombs added. “The girls were aggressive early, and we got out to a nice lead.”

Ste. Genevieve played West County on Wednesday, March 24, at Leon’s Field, with the Bulldogs scoring four runs in the seventh to win 9-7.

The Dragons’ Zoe Cook was tagged out during a rundown between third base and home plate to end the game — squashing what had been a two-run rally.

Izzy Basler went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored versus West County, while Deck and Schwent both had two RBI.

Cook scored Ste. Genevieve’s lone run in the season-opener at Potosi on Monday, March 22, as the Trojans downed the Dragons 10-1.