A career-high 17 strikeouts from starting pitcher Maxine Valdez was the catalyst for the Hays Rebels’ 1-0 win over the rival Lehman Lobos Friday at Lehman High.

“I think I came out strong tonight,” Valdez said. “My rise ball was better than it was before and I threw a couple of curves in there that they hadn’t seen.”

Along with the 17 strikeouts, Valdez finished by allowing only six Lobo hitters to reach base. Lehman was able to get three hits off of Valdez, whi...