PREPS: Nicholas out-duels Dayton's Cole, 3-0

DAYTON - Kenzie Cole was her usual brilliant self in the circle, but Yerington right-hander Katie Nicholas got a little better support and the win.

Cole fanned 11 and allowed five hits, but was the victim of four fielding miscues while Nicholas allowed three hits and fanned 11 as the Lions knocked off Dayton 3-0 in a Lahontan League softball game Tuesday at Dayton.

"We missed a lot of outs out there," Dayton coach Daven Passalacqua said after a lengthy post-game chat with his team. "(Nicholas) threw well. You have to appreciate a well-pitched game. She had very good control. She is the best pitcher we've faced so far.

"Kenzie had a great game. I think our girls understand that it's all about practice. I think they understand that they have to work hard. I think today was a little reality check for them."

The loss snapped Dayton's season-opening six-game win streak. The Dust Devils travel to Winnemucca to play Lowry, Spring Creek and Elko in crossover games this weekend.

Dayton threatened in the third when Kelly Combs and Devlynn Lahair singled with one out. Nicholas fanned Kylie Shepherd and Crystal Macgirvin to end the inning.

Yerington broke the scoreless deadlock with two runs in the fourth thanks to three errors in the inning, two of which came after two outs.

Dayton put runners at first and second with two outs in the fourth, but Nicholas got Cheyenna Burrows to ground out to first to end the threat.

Yerington added another unearned run in the seventh to go up 3-0. Tashina Jim singled to short left field, moved to second on an error and scored on a bloop single by Tori Crowell. Both hits by Crowell and Jim probably should have been caught.

Nicholas ended the game by retiring Natasha Wells, Cole and Makayla Shadle, the Dust Devils' 3-4-5 hitters.