The Glendale Cactus softball program was among the most dominant in the state through much of the2000 decade before falling back a bit.

Although the 2013 Lady Cobras aren’t quite at their former level, they are showing that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 2013 Division II state tournament.

After outslugging sixth-seeded host Flagstaff 17-11 in the second round on Tuesday (April 30), the 11^th-seeded Cobras returned to the Valley on Wednesday (May 1) to stun No. 3 Glendale Raymond S. Kellis 3-2 at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in north Phoenix.

Cactus advances to the winner’s bracket of the now double-elimination event, facing No. 7 Phoenix Greenway on Monday (May 6) at 6:30 p.m. at Mofford’s Field #4. Greenway advanced Wednesday with a surprising 4-0 win over second-seeded defending champion Tucson Canyon del Oro.

Raymond S. Kellis and Canyon del Oro will meet in an elimination game on Saturday (May 4) at 11:30 at Mofford’s Field #3.

Cactus got a quick jump on Raymond S. Kellis by scoring a first-inning run on a sacrifice fly by Kali Renyer. Leadoff hitter Sedona Wyse had reached base on a bunt single and moved to third on a throwing error on the same play.

Raymond S. Kellis loaded the bases with no outs in the first against Cactus starter Morgan Renyer, but managed to only come away with one run, on a sacrifice fly by Marissa Pluguez.

Cactus coach Bartt Underwood was thankful to escape with just one Raymond S. Kellis run on the board. Morgan Renyer had thrown nearly 130 pitches against Flagstaff and he thought she looked tired, but she told him, “No, I’m good.’’

“That first inning, it was like, “Oh my God . . .’ They have four girls who can hit the ball out, and we felt fortunate to get out of that,’’ Underwood said.

Cactus took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Tatumn Porras and an error, and Raymond S. Kellis cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth on a walk, a base hit and an error. The tying run was stranded at third base.

Morgan Renyer hit a batter with one out in the sixth, but escaped. She retired the side in order in the seventh to earn the win.

“We have so much confidence right now,’’ Underwood said. “The older girls show it and then the younger girls (five freshman starters) go with it.’’

Raymond S. Kellis coach Shawn Sullivan gave credit to Cactus.

“They did a good job. They didn’t make mistakes,’’ he said.

Cougars pitcher Jessica Rojo “pitched well enough to win,’’ he said.

As for Saturday’s game against CDO, Sullivan said, “We’re going to see what we’re made of. This team has one life left, and I think the girls will respond.’’