By Don Ketchum

Back and forth, back and forth, up and down they go. The Class 5A Desert Valley Region is one of the strongest, competitive softball regions in the state.

Two of the region’s top teams, Phoenix Pinnacle and Scottsdale Desert Mountain, went at it again on Wednesday (April 20) at Pinnacle.

Back and forth, up and down.

Pinnacle trailed, took the lead, saw Desert Mountain tie it in the top of the seventh and then came back for a 3-2 win in the bottom of the seventh as Haley Walker slapped a double into the left-center field gap to score Shea Palmer (infield hit) with nobody out.

Pinnacle, No. 5 in 5A Division II power points entering the day, climbed to 22-5. Desert Mountain, fourth in power points, fell to 23-5.

“Our goal this week has been to have determination and perseverance, and that’s what we had today,’’ said Pinnacle coach Ben Frank.

“This was two very good teams playing. I would be surprised if these teams and some of the other teams  from the region (Phoenix Horizon, Scottsdale Chaparral), don’t go a long way into the state tournament.’’

Desert Mountain shortstop Kasey McCravey led off the fourth with a triple and scored on a ground ball.

It appeared as though Desert Mountain pitcher Andy Wellins would keep Pinnacle off the board, but the Pioneers scored twice in the sixth on a ground ball by pitcher Jenna Makis and a wild pitch.

Desert Mountain scratched back to tie it in the top of the seventh when Jessica Guffey led off with a single, advanced to second on a ground ball and then to third on a throwing error on the same play, and scored on a groundout.

Then Palmer and Walker did their thing for Pinnacle in the bottom of the seventh.

“It was kind of slice and dice for us at the end,’’ Frank said. “Their pitcher kind of jammed us early and we needed to hit a hole. Our slappers finally figured it out and put their hands through the ball.’’

It was a disappointing loss for Desert Mountain, which had defeated Pinnacle 6-2 on April 8 at Desert Mountain.

“There was a high level of play from both teams, but we kind of let it get away,’’ said long-time Desert Mountain coach Rick Sharp. “We lost our focus that last inning.

“We’re kind of angry, too. If this loss helps to put a chip on our shoulder and play at an even higher level, then that’s what we need.’’