It took some time Thursday night for host Campo Verde to cash in on walks Casteel generously supplied.

A six-run, fifth inning broke open a tight game with walks aiding the outburst as Campo Verde knocked off Casteel, 9-1, in a 5A San Tan Region contest.

Campo Verde ran its record to 16-7 overall and is 4-1 in region play. Casteel, which managed to trail only 2-1 midway through the game despite all the free base runners it allowed, is 10-12 overall and 2-2 in region. Gilbert leads the region with a 3-0 mark.

Casteel pitching yielded 11 base on balls and hit two batters. Five runners who scored reached via walk or hit by pitch. Eight of the walks were issued in the first four innings. Two walks and four hits were part of the fifth-inning outburst that saw Campo Verde bat around. RBI hits in the rally for Campo came from Kyla Kim, Trinity Moreno and the big hit of the inning a two-run double by Kylie Hegland. The final two runs of the inning scored via a passed ball and wild pitch making it 8-1. Kim and Hegland finished with 2 RBI apiece.

Campo's fifth-inning supplied pitcher Addison Gavigan with ample breathing room. Gavigan contributed solid work in the circle. She went the distance allowing five hits, no walks and fanned five. The lone run she surrendered was a third-inning, solo home run by Ellie Schomas that briefly tied the game at 1.

Kim and Moreno keyed the offense for Campo as its leadoff and second-place hitters. Kim reached base three times (walk and two singles) and drove in two runs. Moreno was on base four times (two walks and two singles). Top hitter for Casteel was starting pitcher Joslyn Sagote. Sagote was 2 for 3.

Casteel gets a shot at region-leading Gilbert on Friday at Gilbert. Campo Verde's next game is Tuesday, a rematch vs. Casteel.