Nothing comes easy in the playoffs. 

That's why Hamilton is happy to be facing off with Queen Creek in the 6A semifinals Wednesday night at Quail Run Park.

The No. 8 Huskies advanced thanks to an uncomfortable 5-4 win over No. 16 Corona del Sol Tuesday night in an elimination game.

Hamilton (22-10) pitcher Jazmin Ramirez overcame a first inning home run and a seventh inning rally from Corona (14-22) to notch the win.

"The postseason has been a grind," Ramirez said after the win. "I think our defense has been amazing, and I think we can make it to state."

Brooklyn Bassett went 2-3 with 2 RBI's for Hamilton, while Ramirez added a sacrifice RBI in the bottom of the first inning, which helped the Huskies to a 3-1 lead.

Ramirez gave up a solo home run in the top of the first inning to Corona sophomore Saige Peters, but then settled down for the next five innings.

"That was my fault," Ramirez said of the first inning homerun. "I just left it over the plate and (Peters) is too good of a hitter. After that I had to focus, but when we got three runs right back that helped alot."

Between the second and sixth, Ramirez yielded five hits and one earned run before Corona mounted a two-out rally in the seventh inning.

Clinging to a 5-2 lead in the top of the seventh, Corona loaded the bases before Brooke Sheehan drove in Kaylie Pequeno and Sheehan and Jami Sheehan to close Hamilton's lead to one run (5-4).

But Ramirez was able to escape the inning and the game with a force out, sending the Huskies to the semifials against Queen Creek, a team they have not faced this season.

"We know they're good, it's gonna be tough," Ramirez said.