Bears' bats beat Trojans

BIG BEAR • Kevin Mintun is still looking for a playoff win after a tough loss to Big Bear on Thursday.
Mintun, the Silver Valley High School softball coach, led his team to third place in the Desert Mountain League this season, but the Trojans couldn’t get past the Bears. The Bears beat the Trojans 12-0 in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division VI playoffs on Thursday.
Big Bear attacked from the start of the game and quickly piled on the runs. The Bears drove in four runs to start the game and were only held scoreless in the third inning. They had 17 hits through six innings.
“We had a couple close plays on offense, but when you allow 17 hits it doesn’t make much of a difference,” Mintun said. “They were crushing the ball. They’re strong on offense and defense. I expect them to go deep into the playoffs, I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t.”
Silver Valley, on the other hand, wasn’t hitting the ball well. The Trojans ended the game with only a single hit. Shelisha Brown earned a single off a hit into center field during the seventh inning.
Mintun said the Bears defense and Janae Lapierre’s pitching caused problems for the Trojans. Lapierre earned 10 strikeouts with one walk and one hit batter.
“Lapierre’s probably as strong if not stronger than anyone pitching in our league,” Mintun said. “She had a good game, but they were making plays even when we were hitting the ball.”
Silver Valley’s Deanna Armstrong threw four strikeouts and two walks while pitching a complete game.

Silver Valley    000 000 0 — 0 1 4
Big Bear         420 222 X   — 12 17 1

WP — Lapierre. LP — Armstrong.