It doesn’t hang in a major gallery. It rests on a tripod easel in the dugout.

It doesn’t have the high profile of a van Gogh or the famous smile of the Mona Lisa.

But softball players from Phoenix Christian can smile every time they see it, because it is their own special work of art.

Three simple words are on the sign: Win state title.

Do the Cougars actually have a chance to accomplish that goal in Division IV?

They moved a step closer on Wednesday (April 3) with a big 10-5 victory over visiting Phoenix Northwest Christian. Northwest Christian had begun the day as the No. 1 team in Arizona Interscholastic Association power points and Phoenix Christian was No. 4.

By preventing Northwest Christian from getting its 20^th victory (19-5), Phoenix Christian now stands at 15-3.

Phoenix Christian spotted the Crusaders three runs in the first inning, came back with two in its half of the first and tied it at 3 in the second.

Phoenix Christian took a 4-3 lead in the third, but Northwest Christian took a 5-4 lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Brianna James.

The biggest hit of the contest came in the bottom of the fourth when Megan Sluga ripped a bases-loaded double to deep center field for a 7-5 Phoenix Christian lead.

Phoenix Christian pitcher Anita Tolmachoff overcame early struggles and some shabby defense to record the win. Phoenix Christian committed six errors, Northwest Christian three.

“It was a huge win for us,’’ said Phoenix Christian coach Gary Duede, whose team fell to Northwest Christian 10-4 on March 20. “We played as a team. We got down early and made some mistakes, but we battled through them. The thing we have to remember is that it’s just one game.

“We knew we would have three tough games this week, that it would be a measuring stick.’’

After Northwest Christian, the Cougars have a home game against Phoenix Arizona Lutheran on Friday (April 5) and a road game against Phoenix Country Day School on Saturday (April 6).

“We don’t take anybody for granted,’’ Duede said.