Yuma Softball shutout by River Valley 14-0 in season opener

Dust Devils overpower Lady Criminals in dominant road win

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Lady Criminals kicked off their season at home on Friday, but River Valley had the upper hand, cruising to a 14-0 victory in a six-inning shutout.

Yuma's starting pitcher Monica Ordaz showed early promise, opening the game with a strikeout on a well-placed offspeed pitch.

However, the Dust Devils quickly adjusted, as Kaylynne Niswonger hit a hard shot up the middle that deflected off Ordaz, resulting in an infield single and River Valley's first run.

In the second inning, Yuma's defense momentarily halted a Dust Devil rally when catcher Saige Sivert threw out a runner at third for a crucial out. But River Valley kept applying pressure, with Lovie Phan delivering an RBI single to left field, extending their lead to 2-0.

Ordaz continued to battle on the mound, recording a drop-third-strikeout, but Yuma struggled to generate offense, failing to record a hit in the contest. River Valley's Sophia Reyes dominated in the circle and at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three extra-base hits while her team racked up 16 hits overall.

The Lady Criminals (0-1) will look to rebound when they host Westview next Thursday.