Comets win national qualifier

The Nevada Comets 16 and under softball team went 5-0 in an Amateur Softball Association National Qualifier in Bullhead City, Ariz.

The Comets qualified for the ASA Nationals to be held July 28-Aug. 3 in Midland, Texas.

The Comets beat the Tucson Bandits 8-7 in the championship game. The Comets jumped out to a 4-0 lead when Douglas High's Kaycee Wilcks singled and scored on Douglas High's Katie Pagen's two-run home run. Douglas High's Valerie Smith followed with a hit and scored on Galena's Alicia Kraft's two-run homer.

Douglas High's Kayla Dunn pitched four innings for the win and Douglas High's Brittany Puzey pitched 2 1/3 innings to pick up her fifth save of the tournament. Smith went 4-for-4, Puzey also homered and had two hits, Wilcks and Pagen each had two hits and Dunn added a hit.

The Comets opened with 5-3 win over the Phoenix East Valley Pride. The score was tied 1-1 going into the eighth inning when Kraft's sacrifice fly scored Douglas High's Stevie Smith. Pagen also scored on an error on the play.

Douglas High's Jesse Kizer followed with a hit and Wilcks followed with a two-run homer to make it 5-1. After the Pride scored on a two-run homer, Puzey came in to strike out the side to pick up the save. Dunn was the winning pitcher and had a solo homer while Wilcks had two hits and Stevie Smith added a hit.

The Comets then beat the Phoenix Storm 4-0. Pagen pitched five innings for the win and Puzey threw the last two innings to pick up the save.

Dunn and Valerie Smith each had two hits, Wilcks doubled and Puzey, McQueen's Calli Fisher, Stevie Smith and Kraft all added a hit.

Next for the Comets was a 3-1 win over the Phoenix Hot Shots, who placed third in the nation last year. Dunn pitched four innings for the win and Puzey threw three innings for the save.

Each team had three hits, with the Comets picking up all their hits in the third inning. Pagen and Wilcks each singled and Puzey belted a three-run homer.

The Comets advanced to the championship round with a 5-4 win over the Bandits. Dunn pitched 2 1/3 innings for the win and Puzey got the last two outs for the save. The Comets led 5-2 in the seventh when they allowed two runs on an error with two outs before closing out the win.

Kizer had a solo homer and an RBI double, Puzey had two hits, including an RBI single, Kizer had an RBI double and Wilcks, Dunn, Stevie Smith and Fisher all added a hit.

The Comets will next compete in a tournament June 6 and 7 in Incline Village.

Comets notes: The Comets will hold a fund-raising trap shoot for its trip to Midland on May 31 at China Springs south of Gardnerville. Cost is $60, which includes a round of 100, barbecue and drinks. There will also be a silent auction and drawing. For more information, call Todd Wilcks, 782-3323.