By Don Ketchum

Glendale Deer Valley’s state softball championship trophy from 2011 still gleams, but The Big Talent, Lauren Haeger, the one that helped the team get there, is gone.

So where does that leave the Skyhawks in 2012?

Veteran coach Carl Bakemeier knew it was going to be a challenge. All but three players are seniors. Haeger’s strong arm would be missed the most, leaving the pitching to be shouldered primarily by a freshman and a sophomore.

The start of the season reflected those concerns. Four games and four losses, followed by three wins. But there were 32 errors in those games. The pitching was up and down.

Then Wednesday (March 7) arrived, a chilly, blustery afternoon at Phoenix Pinnacle, which had won six of its first eight. Who knew what was going to happen?

Bakemeier’s teams always have been able to hit, and the Skyhawks did that and then some, scoring in every inning and producing 17 hits. The pitching of freshman Kayline Morgan and sophomore Kaitlyn Stratton was good enough and Deer Valley picked up a 15-7 victory.

Leadoff hitter Brooke Homsey, a sophomore shortstop, had three hits and drove in a run. Junior Katie Renick, an outfielder, had two hits and three RBIs, one on a sacrifice fly.

Bakemeier said he was encouraged by the effort, “but I’ve been encouraged by the whole season, even when we were down. We still have a lot to work on.

“Hitting is our strong point, so hopefully we can continue that while the pitchers establish themselves.’’

Pinnacle isn’t as young as Deer Valley, but has the same issue in the pitching circle, going with a freshman and sophomore, who worked on Wednesday. Freshman Peyton Mierau and sophomore Bailey Brennan showed flashes of potential.

Senior Shea Palmer came up with a strong effort on defense, and she connected for a leadoff triple in the third inning that led to a pair of runs that tied the score at 4.

Deer Valley had three big innings – three in the fourth, four in the sixth and three in the seventh.