Long, Novak lead Nevada softball to first round district win

Nevada Daily Mail

BOLIVAR -- Tiffani Long's four RBIs and Christian Novak's no-hitter led the Nevada High School softball team to a 5-0 win over Strafford on Thursday in a first round game of the Class 3, District 11 tournament.

With the win, the Tigers will play for the district championship on Saturday at noon in Bolivar.

Now 19-5 on the season, Nevada will play Bolivar in the title game.

The winner of the district will host a sectional game next Wednesday against the winner of District 12.

A junior, Novak allowed no hits and just two walks in seven innings while striking out 11.

A senior shortstop, Long went three-for-three at the plate and drove in four runs for the top-seeded Tigers.

Nevada scored once in the first. Nikki O'Bryan doubled, Mackenzie Pritchett sacrificed and then Long hit an RBI single to left.

Nevada extended the lead in the fourth. Tori Dahmer and Casey Barker hit back-to-back singles and then Victoria Culbertson reached on a fielder's choice where everyone was safe. JaLynn Heckadon then drove in a run with a grounder. The throw home was not in time on the play, making it 2-0.

After two outs, Long cleared the bases with a three-run triple to right-center and it was 5-0.

The run support was more than enough for Novak, who allowed just one walk in the second and one walk in the fifth.

A junior, Dahmer contributed two hits for Nevada.

Class 3, District 11 Tournament

Wednesday's scores

(4) Strafford 8, (5) Logan-Rogersville 3

(3) Bolivar 12, (6) Buffalo 0

Thursday's scores

(1) Nevada 5, Strafford 0

Bolivar 3, (2) Marshfield 2, eight innings.

Saturday, Oct. 8

Title game, noon.

Nevada vs. Bolivar.