Saguaro used the return to action of its ace, offensive pressure from the get-go and superior defense to win its 19th consecutive game Thursday in a showdown for first place in the 4A Desert Sky Region.

Travis Steinheiser pitched five solid innings and Brandon Demerest, Matt Morris and Ben Tingley cracked long homers as the Sabercats beat host Queen Creek, 12-5.

Saguaro is now 22-3 on the year and 7-0 in the region. Queen Creek is 14-7, 6-1. Both teams have gone around once in their eight-team region. The Sabercats put up multiple runs in five of the seven innings, includng the first three of the contest.

"Our kids are in a zone hitting and they're seeing the ball well," Saguaro coach Ryan Dyer said. "All year it's been a team effort. One through 20 have made a contribution during this winning streak."

Steinheiser saw his first action on the hill in two weeks. He took a liner off his right forearm in a game against McClintock and Dyer and his staff decided to hold him back until  they were comfortable he was ready.

The senior right-hander allowed five runs -- three with two out in the second inning -- after a dropped pop up in a tough wind set up Queen Creek to rally and stay close in the early going. The rest of the way Steinheiser allowed a run on two hits. He finished the day allowing six hits, one walke and five strikeouts.

"Travis is our ace and it was good to have him back out there today," Dyer said. "He gave us a solid performance."

Steinheiser watched his teammates deliver 12 runs, on 11 hits  and reach base eight times via walks. Seven different Saguaro players had at least one RBI, led by Demerest with three. Demerest homered in the in the third inning to deep left center after blasting a two-run double in the first.

Morris homered in the fifth to touch off a three-run rally that extended a 7-5 lead to 10-5. Tingley homered later in the inning to cap the outburst.

"Saguaro made plays, played great defense and played with a lot more heart than we did,"  Queen Creek coach Mike Campbell said. "We forgot how to play the way we can. Got selfish with some things. It wasn't a good effort today."