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Softball: Valainis tosses no-hitter in Knights' regional victory

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By Ben Brewster | Friday, July 04, 2008 |

Assumption pitcher Alyson Valainis was nearly untouchable Thursday, throwing a no-hitter as the Lady Knights beat the Anamosa Raiders 5-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A regional softball tournament.

Assumption coach Bob Matthys said Valainis throws seven pitches and mixes it up well but noted that she was only at about 80 percent. She showed no signs of fatigue, though, as she struck out 13 Raiders and allowed only two base runners on a first-inning error and a fifth-inning walk.

“She and (catcher) Paige Sheeder have been together two years, and that really helps,” Matthys said.

Raiders starting pitcher Mallory Lacy matched zeroes with Valainis through the fourth inning before allowing four runs on four hits and a walk in the fifth.

It started when Assumption right fielder Ellen Conklin drew a one-out walk.

Ashley Giganti followed with a single, and after a passed ball that advanced the runners to second and third, Maggie Carlin laid down a perfect bunt to third base to squeeze Conklin home with the first run.

“When you get that one run across the board, the girls start focusing better and hits start falling,” Matthys said.

Sheeder then doubled to drive in Giganti and Carlin, and scored when Krysta Tutsch doubled to deep right field.

Tutsch was thrown out advancing to third base, but the damage was done.

The Lady Knights added one more in the sixth, which was more than enough for Valainis, whose no-hitter was not her first.

“I don’t keep track, but I know that there’s been a couple,” she said.

The Lady Knights will play at Camanche in the quarterfinals July 5 at 7 p.m.

“It’s the point in the season where you go out there to play again. It’s one and done,” Valainis said. “I’m not ready for our season to be over.”