After a generation of frustration, it appears the Nogales softball program is on the verge of breaking through. The Apaches recorded 20 wins in 2013 and finished with 25 last year after making it to the second round of the Division III state playoffs for the first time in school history.

This year? The team is already 17-0 including seven wins at the Wrangler Classic held in Wickenburg last week and seven more at the Tucson Badger Invite this past Friday and Saturday where they outlasted Casa Grande Vista Grande 3-2 for the championship.

"We only lost a couple of girls from last year's team," said head coach Rene Grijalva. "We have a lot of experience and all that experience is what counts right now."

Part of that experience is in the pitching arm of his daughter, Phoenix College commit Emerald Grijalva. Grijalva is now 15-0 on the season which just happens to be good enough for second in the country.

Although Grijalva only picked up one strikeout in the championship game against Vista Grande, she scattered four hits and limited the Spartans to one earned run. Vista Grande scored an unearned run to start the game off and added another run in the top of the third after Alyssa Valdez tripled to bring in Breann Gant but that was it.

The Spartans threatened in the top of the sixth after Ali Belloc hit a one-out double and Jordon Keeton followed with a walk but third baseman Jessica Gradillas turned a double play to end the threat.

Meanwhile, Nogales tied things up in the bottom of the first after Czarina Lorta hit a leadoff double and Grijalva singled her home. The Apaches took the lead for good in the bottom of the third with runs from Lucero Mada and Paula Espinoza.

Vista Grande pitcher Rochelle Gay only gave up one hit the rest of the way but the damage was done.

"There really isn’t much different from last year," added Emerald Grijalva. "We are starting to stick together and focus on winning. I'm excited for our program."