Tribune photo by Tony Contini - Sparks pitcher Emily Hanson gets in some work Wednesday.
Sparks (3-2, 1-0 3A North) and Truckee were tied 2-2 after the first inning but in the second inning Sparks scored six while Truckee scored two. Sparks took its 8-4 lead and never looked back.
Truckee tried to catch up in the fifth inning by scoring four runs to get within 15-11 but the Railroaders tightened up their defense and neither team scored again.
“They (Truckee) hit the ball hard,” Sparks coach Frak Avilla said. “Truckee is a very good hitting team,” “Out of those 11 runs, they earned nine of them. We made plays when we needed to.”
Sparks limited its defense to three errors on the afternoon. Avilla was pleased with the 15 runs his squad posted.
“We’ve been working on hitting,” Avilla said. “Anytime you can post 15 runs on the board you should win. Unlike years in the past the kids are biting in a little more now. They’re learning.”
Sparks was able to use three pitchers during the game, when in the past the pitching depth was very limited, Avilla said.
“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “We came in with speed and then more speed. I’m tickled pink. To have three pitchers is a blessing.”
Sparks pitcher Emily Hanson recorded the win for Sparks. Cheyanne Ranson and Taylor Carter worked in relief for the Railroaders.
Sparks travels to Susanville for a tournament this weekend where it will play Red Bluff, Enterprise of Redding and Anderson.
“I’m sicking them to the wolves, and see if we can go feed with them a little bit, and eat a little bit.” Avilla said.
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