Round Valley softball blanks Page 16-0, extends dominant season

Round Valley sent a postseason-sized message from Page Sports Complex on Friday, blanking the Sand Devils 16-0 and turning a road conference game into another proof point for one of Northern Arizona’s hottest softball teams.

The Elks’ latest blowout was not just another win on a long list. It was Page’s first shutout of the season, and it came against a Round Valley lineup that has been piling up dominant results while climbing near the top of the 2A North Region. MaxPreps said the Elks had won 13 of their last 14 games entering the matchup, and the victory pushed their season record to 21-3.

Ryan Jaramillo was the center of the performance that made the result look so one-sided. MaxPreps said Jaramillo allowed just one hit, gave up no earned runs and struck out 12 over five innings. At the plate, Taizly Newman delivered the kind of middle-order damage that can change a postseason bracket, going 2-for-3 with a home run, five RBI and three runs scored. Kylar Penrod added three hits, three RBI, two runs and a triple as Round Valley finished with a .610 on-base percentage, far ahead of Page’s .211.

For Apache County readers, the scope of the run matters as much as the score. Round Valley High School in Eagar and Springerville has long been one of the region’s most visible athletic programs, and this spring’s softball surge has given the White Mountains another team to watch closely as playoffs approach. The roster under head coach Colette Myers includes Jaramillo, Newman, Penrod, Skyler Hevener, Carla Arreola and Kelci Walker, whose production has helped anchor the lineup. Walker is listed with a .654 batting average, a .678 on-base percentage and 11 home runs, numbers that help explain why the Elks have been able to separate so quickly from opponents.

The schedule does not slow down much. Round Valley’s next varsity games were set for Wednesday against Benson and Friday at St. Johns, two more chances to test the Elks against conference competition. With the 2A North standings showing Round Valley at the top of the region, the Page win looked less like a single lopsided result and more like a reminder that the Elks are built for a deep playoff run.