Wheatland tops Sutter in 9 innings, clinches share of league title

With wind gusts reminiscent of Candlestick Park, two dominant pitchers dealing from the circle and enough defensive plays to go around, Friday's softball game between Wheatland High and Sutter was packed with plenty of excitement.

The only thing that was missing, however, was the runs.

But after being locked in a scoreless duel for eight innings, the Pirates finally broke through by scoring an unearned run in the top of the ninth to come away with a 1-0 victory at Ruth Lowman Field in Sutter.

Wheatland's Randi May and Sutter's Sami Prosser were the story in this one as the Pirates beat the Huskies for the third time this season, while clinching at least a share of the Butte View League title.

"That was about as exciting as it can get," Wheatland coach Jim Vossler said. "When you have two good teams, it comes down to playing defense. That's why there was so many zeros."

The tone was set on the game's first pitch when Wheatland freshman Tara McIntyre hit a fly ball that the wind carried over the head of Sutter's center fielder for a lead-off triple. Although McIntyre ended up being stranded on third, the wind would prove a factor all day long as each fly ball became an adventure.

Through it all stood May and Prosser, who matched each other pitch for pitch for the full nine innings. In fact, the two pitchers ended with the exact same stat line with both allowing six hits and striking out six.

Prosser would go on to retire 12 straight batters before freshman Mikayla McLanahan hit a two-out double in the top of the ninth. Kirstin Johnson followed by hitting a groundball to Sutter shortstop Courtney Gravel, who bobbled the ball briefly before hurrying her throw to first. The rushed throw sailed past the Huskies' first baseman and McLanahan raced all the way in from second to score the game-winning run.

It was the only miscue of the game for Sutter and it came at the worst possible time, especially for Gravel, who was the defensive player of the game after ranging all over the field to make eight put outs.

"The wind was the MVP of this game," Vossler said. "There were so many great plays with the wind and from the first pitch on you could see how it affected a lot of the game."

For Sutter coach Raoul Singh, missed scoring opportunities was the difference.

"We played a great game, but we didn't get the runs in when we should have," he said. "When Wheatland and Sutter play it can go any way, so I'm disappointed in myself. I wasn't aggressive enough on the basepaths today."

McIntyre finished 2 for 4 with a triple and McLanahan went 3 for 4 to lead the way for the Pirates (16-8, 9-0), who have a three-game lead with three games to go in the regular season.

A win over Winters at home on Tuesday will clinch the BVL title outright.

"I have to thank our freshmen," Vossler said. "They were the only ones that could get a hit in this game."

Prosser went 2 for 4 with a double, Gravel was 2 for 4 and Gabbie Miles hit a double to lead the way for Sutter (14-8, 6-3).

Wheatland's junior varsity team also won 10-5 to remain unbeaten in the BVL.

Kiley Decoster was 4 for 4, Emily Hardman went 3 for 4 with a double and Mikayla Brown picked up the win from the circle for the Pirates (15-1, 7-0).