After a relatively easy win on Wednesday, the Phoenix softball team experienced a pair of disappointing losses on Saturday, falling twice to North Valley in Skyline Conference play in Merlin.

The Pirates scored a 10-run win over the Knights to open the Skyline three days earlier. This time, NV swept a doubleheader, scoring 7-3 and 9-8 wins. North Valley scored three times in the sixth inning to break open a close game. Phoenix scored all of its runs in the second inning, with Josie Bolstad driving in a pair of the runs with a double. Ashley Gurr had two hits in the game. Rae Goff allowed 11 hits in pitching a complete game for PHS.

The teams traded leads during the nightcap, with North Valley eventually scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to win. The Pirates scored three times in the sixth and one in the seventh to take an 8-7 lead. Halie Bowman, Bolstad and Gurr all had two of the 14 hits Phoenix collected in the game. PHS struggled to stay away from high pitches, flying out 16 times in the contest. Claire Mathewson pitched for the Pirates.

Phoenix (6-5 overall, 1-2 in the conference) returns to action Wednesday, hosting Mazama.