SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: THURSDAY SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROUNDUP
May 6, 2016 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365
DIVISION II
No. 1 Canyon del Oro fell to No. 8 Tucson 10-9 at Cherry Field in Tucson. Wendy Castro gave the Dorados a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and Jenna Martinez knocked in Brenna Griesser in the second but the 2-0 lead would not hold up on a night when the lead changed eight times.
Tucson collected four hits in the top of the third and took advantage of an error to tie the game up 2-2 but the Dorados scored again the bottom half of the inning to go back up 3-2.
The Badgers exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth to go up 6-3. It looked like the Dorados would get out of the inning unscathed but another infield error extended the inning and loaded the bases. Romy Sandoval collected an RBI on a hit-by-pitch then Mia Trejo drew a walk with the bases loaded. Alyssa Trejo singled to bring in another run and then Arriana SantaMaria followed with another single to score another run.
But the 6-3 lead would be erased in the bottom of the fourth after Halle Morris came up with a pinch-hit double to clear the bases. The Dorados would score four in the inning to go back up 7-6.
Vanezza Caldera hit a towering home run in the top of the fifth to plate two runs and Tucson took an 8-7 lead. Canyon del Oro responded with two in the bottom half on a 2-run shot from Ellessa Bonstrom. A double-play with the bases loaded prevented more damage.
Both teams came up empty in the sixth but a 2-run shot by Mia Trejo gave the Badgers a 10-9 lead. The Dorados left a runner on in the bottom of the seventh and the Badgers came away with the win.
Mia Trejo took the circle for Tucson and pitched the distance and picked up seven strikeouts in the win. Four of those strikeouts came to end a Dorado scoring threat including a runner at third in second inning, the bases loaded in the fourth and a runner at second base in the sixth.
Gabi Blevins, Randi Longville and Morris all saw pitching action for the Dorados. The Badgers only struck out twice in the game.
Bonstrom went 2-for-3 with a double and home run to lead Canyon del Oro and Morris went 2-2. Griesser also doubled in the game. For Tucson, Mia Trejo helped herself out by going 3-3 with two walks, a double and a home run. SantaMaria went 4-5 with a double and Alyssa Trejo went 3-5.
Tucson will face No. 4 Cactus next Tuesday and CDO will move to the Elimination Bracket where No. 5 Arcadia will be waiting on Saturday at Rose Mofford.
No. 2 Ironwood Ridge run-ruled No. 23 Casa Grande 10-5 in five innings to advance in the Division II winner’s bracket at the Rose Mofford Complex. The Nighthawks led 4-0 after two innings and never looked back. The Nighthawks will take on No. 3 Sahuaro next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Sahuaro needed 12 innings to beat No. 6 Salpointe and the winning run came on a misplayed ball with runners at second and third with only one out. Robyn Opple put the ball in the play and Ashley Bradford came home for the win. Bradford would have scored even on a clean play, giving Opple the walk-off RBI.
Lexy Coons went the distance for Sahuaro and she finished with 19 strikeouts and a complete-game shutout. Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage had 16 strikeouts for Salpointe. Yannira Acuna had a double and triple for Salpointe. The Lancers left 12 on base and Sahuaro left five.
The venue for the Ironwood Ridge/Sahuaro game has yet to be decided. Salpointe will face Casa Grande on Saturday in the Elimination Bracket. Both elimination games are scheduled for noon at Rose Mofford.
DIVISION III
No, 7 Catalina Foothills beat No. 10 Douglas 8-1 at the Rose Mofford Complex. Lilli Wright had a two-run blast to give the Falcons an early 2-0 lead and Nic Conway struck out 11 batters through four innings and finished with 17 for the game.
Myranda Escobar gave the Falcons a 6-0 lead with 3-run double in the fourth and the lead would increase to 8-0 until Danielle Galaz picked up an RBI for Douglas in the fifth inning. Catalina Foothills will face No. 2 Poston Butte Friday nigth at 7 p.m. in the qurterfinal round.
No. 24 Nogales upset No. 8 Show Low19-2 in five innings. The Apaches will take on No. I Cibola Friday night in the quarterfinal round.
No. 16 Empire fell to Cibola 12-7. The Ravens are the defending state champions.
No. 19 Rio Rico fell to No. 3 River Valley 5-1