Scottsdale Chaparral softball coach Stefanie Ewing said that some days her team can look like the greatest team in the world. Other days, it resembles a team of freshmen trying to figure out what to do.

On Tuesday (April 22), the Firebirds looked more like the latter than the former, but they still managed to come away with a 2-1 victory over visiting Phoenix Xavier Prep.

“Today was not really conducive to how we have been playing,’’ Ewing said. “But we found a way to win.’’

Chaparral, fifth in Division I power points entering Tuesday’s play, climbed to 21-6. Xavier, which was eighth, slipped to 15-6.

Chaparral scratched out its two runs in the second inning against Xavier pitcher Lilly Giller, who as a freshman is developing into a force in the circle.

A hit batter, a double by Hanna Mehok and an error were the main components of the scoring.

“Xavier is a good team and she (Giller) is a good pitcher,’’ Ewing said. “She did a good job of making us swing at her pitch.’’

Chaparral had five hits on the day.

Meanwhile, Chaparral senior left-hander Dallas McBride surrendered six hits. Ewing indicated that McBride threw a lot of pitches in a win over Phoenix Pinnacle on Monday (April 21) and was not at the top of her game against Xavier.

Xavier cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the fifth. Caitlin Dickman led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, was sacrificed to third by Emily Jordan and scored when a high bouncer up the middle by Megan Donahey deflected off the glove of the second baseman for a hit.

The Gators left the tying run at first in the seventh inning as the Firebirds got a forceout and a pop fly to end it.

Chaparral has three games left in the regular season against Mesa Mountain View, Mesa Skyline and Scottsdale Desert Mountain before the state tournament begins.

“I’d say we’re in a pretty good spot right now,’’ Ewing said. “I think we’re a team that hasn’t played its best softball yet.’’