In the season opener for both ballclubs, Malad’s Nishon Neal pitched a complete game, striking out 11 while giving up three hits in the Dragons 6-1 win in Malad against the Marsh Valley Eagles Saturday afternoon.

    "It's the first game for both of us, and Marsh Valley has a good ball club," said Malad head coach Dennis Evans. “They really made us work for the win.”

    Jensen was stellar at the plate in his 2013 debut. But what’s bad news for Malad’s opponents?

    "He's one we really count on, but we have a few guys right now that we feel pretty confident in,” Evans said. “Our pitching is looking really good right now."

    Offensively, Malad (1-0) picked up two runs in the second and four in the third to jump out 6-0 on Marsh Valley (0-1) and Cort Goddard slammed the game’s lone home run.

    The Dragons and Eagles play a second time Wednesday, though they move to Arimo for the rematch. The first pitch is 4 p.m.

Softball

Pocatello 9, Hillcrest 1

Pocatello 8, Hillcrest 2

The Pocatello softball team swept Hillcrest 9-1 and 8-2 Saturday afternoon in Idaho Falls.

    Alex Kordopatis allowed just one hit and one in seven innings of work the first game and struckout 13. She then pitched the first four frames of the second contest before Morgan Nalley took over. The two combined to give up three hits and two runs.

    Kealee Hewatt had a double for the Indians in game one.

    “I’ve got 12 kids and everyone played today and everyone laid down bunts well,” said Indians head coach Anne Butler said. “We really mixed the lineup from a couple days ago and the kids reacted well.”

     Pocatello (3-0) travels to Skyline next Saturday for a doubleheader at 11 a.m.

Tennis

    Century hosted Idaho Falls and Skyline in a tri-match Saturday afternoon, with the boys winning both matches and the girls splitting.

    The boys beat IF 4.5-2.5 and took down Skyline 4-2. The girls dropped a 3.5-2.5 decision to the Tigers before beating the Grizzlies 5-0.

    Josh Goodwin went 2-0 on the day, only losing one set. Tevin Piersol and Harrison Cleveland also picked up singles wins against the Tigers.

    Kyleigh Hatch won both her singles matches for the Diamondbacks as well.

    Century returns to the court Tuesday when it hosts Highland at 3:30 p.m.