Pirates scuttle Indians

Rachel Silva struck out 10 batters and allowed just one hit through five innings to lead the Wheatland High softball team to a 12-0 win at Abby Field in Marysville on Wednesday.

After scoring two runs each in the first and second innings, Wheatland piled on eight more in the third, putting the game out of reach and the mercy-rule into effect.

"We're starting to get it together," said Wheatland coach Jim Vossler. "We played a tough nonleague schedule to help prepare us for this season."

Wheatland improved to 6-7 overall with the win, while Marysville slipped to 4-9.

Marysville's Jessie Brown broke up Silva's no-hitter in the fifth inning with a hard-hit ball that grounded past second base.

Brown recorded the lone hit for Marysville on the day.

"We're really young, so we're still learning some fundamentals," said Marysville assistant coach David Chiono. "And going up against a pitcher like that doesn't really give you a chance to get on base."

Silva was simply dominant.

The sophomore struck out the side in the second and third innings, and walked just one batter through the five complete.

Marysville's woes began right off the bat.

Wheatland's Bridgette McClarrinon led off the game with what appeared to be a routine grounder, but she reached on an error, and it all went down hill from there.

She was driven home on a stand-up double to right-center field by Rachel Keller, who scored when Chenise Martinez lifted a double to left-center.

Keller went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while teammate Chylsi Coker went 1-for-2 with an RBI-double.

Wheatland continued its offensive barrage in the second inning after Silva and Brenda Kraus, both of whom would score, led off the inning with a pair of singles.

But it was the relentless third inning, where Wheatland batted around, that put the game away.

Keller hit two singles, one of which drove in two runs, McClarrinon hit a two-RBI single, two runs scored off errors and Coker belted her two-RBI double to complete the eight-run scamper.

Marysville pulled two pitchers before Danielle Ferrari came on in the fourth inning to halt the onslaught, allowing no hits and walking just one batter in two innings.

"Danielle pitched very good for us today," Chiono said. "We're still trying to figure out what works for us."

Contact sports reporter Bryan DeMain at 749-4796 or bdemain@appealdemocrat.com.