The Sparks Railroaders sent the Yerington Lions back to their lair Wednesday, handing the Lyon County school an 11-1 defeat in 3A North prep baseball action.



Yerington's leadoff hitter, Mike Veil opened up the game with a single. He stole second and third. Casey Wildermuth followed and grounded out for Yerington, but Veil raced home on the sequence. Unfortunately for Lions' fans, that was the only run their squad would tally on the afternoon.

Sparks (4-3 3A, 6-6 overall) also got off to a good start in the first inning as the first three SHS batters all reached safely and managed to score. Aaron Quilici singled and scored on a double from Monroe. Next, Chris Haun doubled to send Monroe across the plate. Haun later scored on a single from catcher Nick Posey, helping Sparks to a 3-1 lead after the first inning.

Sparks never trailed again.

The Railroaders rallied big in the second inning, as six batters in a row scored. Quilici stepped onto first on a fielder's choice. Monroe then reached first safely on a single. Haun blasted a ball toward the second baseman and reached second on the two-base error, which also allowed Quilici to score.

Sparks was not done. Kent Orta singled and collected an RBI when Monroe scored. Haun and Orta came plateward for the Railroaders as well. Posey reached first on another Yerington error. Sophomore Andrew Garcia doubled for an RBI. He scored on a wild pitch while freshman Dennis Morrelli was at the plate to give Sparks a 9-1 edge.

“We hit the ball well,” Sparks coach Greg Vasko said. “It was a tough day with the wind.”

Monroe scored the 10th run for Sparks. He reached first when he was hit by Sergio Cruz. He advanced to second on a wild pitch thrown to Haun, who doubled to send Monroe home.

In the fourth inning, James Justice singled and scored to give Sparks the final 11-1 victory.

Monroe pitched a tight game for Sparks, finishing with eight strikeouts while giving up two hits, one run and one walk.

“We could've been better (on defense),” Vasko said. “Danny pitched a great game.”

Sparks finishes the Yerington series with a doubleheader Saturday at Yerington. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

“We're going to come out and play hard,” the first-year coach said. “We can't take anyone lightly. We'll take it one pitch at a time.”

•In softball action, the Railroaders also earned a victory Wednesday, drilling Yerington 14-4 in a game shortened to five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Sparks improved its league record to 5-2 in the 3A North and now stands 8-7 overall.

Cynthia Hawkins went 3-for-3 on the afternoon recording five RBIs for Sparks. Allison Tallman had three hits in four at bats, tallying one RBI. Jessica Perry drove in two runs on a 2-3 outing.

Sabrina Martinez recorded the win for Sparks after pitching all five innings.

“I'm really proud of the girls,” Sparks coach Frank Avilla said. “They're learning to be disciplined at the plate and not panicking. We're getting better.”

The Railroaders complete their series against Yerington in a doubleheader, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at Yerington.