Prep: Deep field makes for exciting zone softball event

The annual 4A Southern Zone softball tournament kicks off today, and local coaches are calling this year's field the deepest the Las Vegas area has ever seen.

"I think it's a very even tournament," said Silverado coach Chuck Pope, whose club has played all seven of the other teams involved. "I believe that any of the eight teams could represent the South well in the state tournament."

"In 17 years coaching, this year is more up for grabs than any I've seen," echoed Green Valley coach Cindi Davis.

This year's field looks extremely similar to last spring's tournament, with Silverado, Green Valley, Eldorado, Basic, Bonanza, Cimarron-Memorial and Durango back for the second straight year.

Bishop Gorman, which improved from sixth place to fourth in the Sunset Division this season, will be the only newcomer to the event, which will take place at Sunset Park today through Friday.

At stake in the double-elimination, two-game-per-day extravaganza: the zone's four berths to next weekend's state tournament. Last season, those spots were claimed by Silverado, Green Valley, Bonanza and Eldorado.

"To me, zone is always icing," said Bengals' coach Cheryl Speer, whose club swept through the regular season with a 12-0 conference record. "It's nice to win, but if we go to state, we're accomplishing one of our goals."

The tournament will feature a contrast of styles between clubs that rely heavily on a single pitcher to toss the bulk of their innings and those which spread the work among two or three players.

Green Valley, with senior Nicole Truax; Basic, with junior Jen Redding; and Bishop Gorman, with sophomore Nikkie Koval; will hope that a hot pitcher can get them through the event and on to the state tourney.

Meanwhile, Silverado, with the trio of Tiffany Finateri, Keely Commerford and Jenelle Richardson; Bonanza, with Jessica Smith, Kristy Johnson and Christy Carrasco; and Eldorado, with Jennifer Richards and Amber Clutts; will count on pitching depth to make a difference in the multi-game format.

Also, the tournament will feature the playoff debut of a group of top-notch freshman pitchers: Durango's Aja Sherman and Tisha Salamino, Cimarron-Memorial's Kristen Jasper and Jamie Hughes and Silverado's Commerford.

Softball Zone Tournament schedule

First Round Games

(At Sunset Park)

Bonanza (19-4) vs. Basic (16-13), 2 p.m.

Durango (23-10) vs. Green Valley (23-10), 2 p.m.

Cimarron-Memorial (16-9) vs. Eldorado (20-7), 2 p.m.

Bishop Gorman (15-15) vs. Silverado (28-6), 2 p.m.

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