By Don Ketchum

Pitcher Taylor Nowlin has had a very successful season for Peoria Sunrise Mountain’s softball team.

But that is only half of the story.

The other half belongs to catcher Annie Jordan.

Jordan, a senior, keeps left-handed junior Nowlin on track and calls the pitches, according to Mustangs coach Jody Pruitt.

“That way, Taylor doesn’t need to think about it,’’ Pruitt said.

The coach says she doesn’t call any pitches, Jordan calls them all.

“It’s their (players’) game, not mine. That’s the way it’s supposed to be,’’ Pruitt said.

And things went just the way they were supposed to for Sunrise Mountain on Saturday (May 5) in the Division II state tournament with a 4-0 winner’s bracket victory over Phoenix Greenway at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix.

Sunrise Mountain, the top seed, will meet third-seeded Tucson Ironwood Ridge on Wednesday at Mofford at 6:30 p.m. in a winner’s bracket game.

Greenway, seeded 12^th, will meet seventh-seeded Tucson Sabino on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in a loser’s bracket game.

Nowlin pitched a three-hitter and struck out 11 and hit a two-run homer to highlight a three-run second inning. Shortly after Nowlin crossed the plate, Jordan, the next hitter, stepped into the batter’s box and hit a solo shot.

First baseman Melissa Sechrest gave the Mustangs their final run in the third inning with a solo homer.

“The kids hit some bombs out there,’’ Pruitt said. “They stayed through the ball and got some good swings.’’

Although her team hit three over the fence, Pruitt was very complimentary of Greenway sophomore pitcher Haley Fox.

“She is legit,’’ Pruitt said. “She is pretty good now and is going to get even better.’’