By Don Ketchum

Center fielder Victoria Poe, the only senior and mother hen of the Phoenix Northwest Christian softball team, was honored by her younger teammates before Friday’s (April 20) final home game of the regular season against Chandler Valley Christian.

They gathered around her and then she went out and showed them how it’s done.

She contributed two solid defensive plays to back freshman pitcher Elizabeth Bostwick, laid down a sacrifice bunt and had another bunt for a base hit as the Crusaders rolled to a 7-1 victory.

“We’ve been really blessed with nine freshmen and sophomores who are talented players,’’ said Northwest Christian coach Mark Hickman. “But you also need some leadership and Victoria Poe leads by example. She has worked hard. It would be nice if we could give her a good ride to state (tournament).’’

Northwest Christian (20-7) has one more regular-season game, at Phoenix Arizona Lutheran on Tuesday (April 24). Later in the week comes the start of the Division IV state tournament.

Northwest Christian has been No. 1 in power points for some of the season and was No. 2 entering this week, but it’s anybody’s guess as to which team will be the top seed entering the tournament.

“It’s Pusch (Ridge Christian of Tucson), Arizona Lutheran and us all right there,’’ Hickman said.

However the Crusaders line up, they will need Bostwick to be on top of her game.

She was strong against Valley Christian. She gave up a run on three hits in the first three innings, but didn’t allow a hit the rest of the way. She finished with six strikeouts.

“She’s our only pitcher,’’ Hickman said. “You want to try to rest her whenever you can, but she doesn’t always like that. She would rather pitch. It helps to keep her focused on the game.’’

Northwest Christian was double trouble for Valley Christian (11-8), which was No. 11 in power points entering this week. The Crusaders hit six doubles, with leadoff hitter Brianna James getting three, second-place hitter Bostwick getting two and Brittany Zimmerman one.

Valley Christian was still in it despite trailing 4-1 after four innings, but Northwest Christian put it away with three runs on four hits in the sixth.