Talented trio helping Boulder City High softball team rise to the top

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, April 2, 2009 | midnight

Boulder City High softball coach Bruce Reid has an easy time completing the top half of his lineup card each game.

After all, Reid has used the same three girls in the same positions the last three years — center fielder Brittany Patt in the lead off spot, third baseman Melissa Stewart batting second and catcher Paxton Fleming third.

It's a formula that has proven to be successful this spring. The Eagles have opened the season with a 14-2 record, including taking a doubleheader from Moapa Valley March 27 to start 3A Southern League play, and have their eyes set on winning the program's first state title since 1999.

"Those three provide us with some stability," Reid said. "That's a pretty strong top three. But we are also strong in other (positions). We had some holes in a few positions this year, but we were able to find the right pieces."

The trio of juniors say the consistency of playing together the past three years gives them confidence.

"We all trust in each other and know who will be doing what on the field," Fleming said. "We are confident. We just don't want to get too overconfident."

Adding to the confidence is Boulder City's early season results. It went 5-0 to win a tournament in St. George, Utah, in March and lost an extra-inning affair 2-1 to Legacy High of Las Vegas during an Arizona tournament to open the season in a game that showed the Eagles will be competitive.

"How we played in that game was a sign of where we are headed," Reid said.

Fleming, who is batting .672 with a team-best 19 RBIs and 21 runs through March 26, is called the best catcher in the state — regardless of classification — by her coach. Defensively, Fleming threw out 82-percent of runners attempting to steal a base last year.

"She throws harder from her knees than most catchers in the state do standing up," Reid said.

Stewart is second on the team with a .516 batting average and leads the team with 12 stolen bases. "She gets on base one way or the other," Reid said.

Reid briefly moved Stewart to shortstop last year but realized the change altered the infield chemistry that was developing into a dominant force.

"The chemistry between all of the team is the reason we are doing so well," Stewart said. "It is easy because we are out their having fun together."

The group combined for 34 stolen bases through the initial 13 games, including 11 from the speedy Patt. All three of the girls are excellent base runners, but Patt's speed makes her the ideal leadoff batter and solid outfielder, Reid said.

"She covers so much ground out there in center," Reid said. "She does a great job of anticipating the ball and has a great arm."

Patt said the trio have not raced against each other since their freshman years. She doesn't mind being the second or third fastest on the team if that leads to Boulder City's ultimate goal of winning state.

"We have been together for so long on this team it feels like we are family," Patt said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].