Softball roundup: Anderson out-duels DeKorver in PV win

Teammates mob Elaine Asaasa after the Pine View catcher hit a home run Tuesday, Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Pine View’s not used to being behind, so when Dixie jumped out ot a 1-0 lead early against the Panthers, coach Randy Green was very interested in seeing how his team would respond.

As it turns out, the Lady Panthers were just fine as Pine View scraped a run across in the second inning and then took the lead on a solo home run by Elaine Asaasa in the third to beat Dixie 2-1 Tuesday afternoon at PVHS.

Elaine Asaasa Elaine Asaasa circles the bases after her home run Tuesday, Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Elaine Asaasa Elaine Asaasa circles the bases after her home run Tuesday, Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

“In softball, it’s important to keep an even keel,” Green said. “It doesn’t pay to be high-strung. Even as coaches, if they see us go off, the players tend to panic.”

Asaasa said she was a little tight early in the game, but relaxed just in time to deposit the game-winner over the right field fence.

“I was trying too hard early in the game,” she said. “I got out, but I knew I’d get another trip to the plate. When I hit it, I was just praying that it cleared the fence. Then, as I rounded the bases, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t trip.”

Dixie’s early run came in the first inning after Britton Leavitt singled. She was then doubled home by Summer Simkins for a 1-0 lead. Dixie ended up leaving the bases loaded in that first inning.

Pine View evened the score in the bottom of the second. Mallory McLellan doubled and scored a couple of batters later on consecutive passed balls, tying the game at 1-1.

It would stay that way until the third when Asaasa came up with two outs and no one on base. Her solo shot put the Lady Panthers up to stay.

“Elaine’s got a lot of power, a lot of natural power,” Green said. “She’s naturally very strong and it was no surprise that she hit that one out.”

The game was a pitcher’s duel throughout, with Kirsten Anderson getting the better of DeKorver.

“She makes my job as catcher so easy,” Asaasa said. “Kristen is so good. She puts the ball exactly where it needs to be.”

Except for a little wildness, Anderson was nearly perfect. She did commit the error that opened the door for Dixie’s lone run in the first inning. But Anderson also retired 16 of the final 17 batters she faced in the dominating effort. She is now 8-1 on the year and the Panthers improved to 9-1 overall and 2-1 in region.

DeKorver was good as well, allowing just one hit the last three innings. Her record fell to 4-5 and the Lady Flyers dropped to 8-4 overall and 1-2 in region.

Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
Dixie at Pine View, St. George, Utah, Mar. 26, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

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