Campo Verde's softball team blasted three home runs and amassed 14 hits Thursday night in takiing the measure of region and city rival Mesquite, 9-3, at Campo Verde High.

The win assures Campo Verde (14-16, 5-2 region) a share of the 5A San Tan Region title. The teams meet again Friday night at Mesquite where Campo can claim the region crown outright with a win. A loss leaves the teams tied for the top spot. The tie-breaker in that case would go beyond head-to-head (a split) and go to Mesquite with a better record against 5A conference opponents. Mesquite is 17-11, 4-3 region.

Both teams are in good shape qualifying for play-in games to the state tournament. Campo Verde began the day No. 21 and Mesquite was 13th. A Campo win Friday takes away any intrigue as to whether or not it qualifies for postseason since region champs automatically gain a berth.

Campo Verde pitcher Myka Sutherlin played a huge part in the victory. She had a two-hit shutout working the first five innings and finished allowing five hitsin going the distance. She walked one and struck out eight. Sutherlin got the Coyotes out quickly lifting a solo homer to left as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first. Sutherlin was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.

Also cranking out home runs for Campo were Miranda Alavarez (second inning) and Brandi Wilson (fifth inning). Wilson was 2-for-2 and walked twice. Campo shortstop Alicia Leighty was 3-for-3, including two doubles, a walk and three RBI. Brenna Scudellari also had two hits. Campo dealt Mesquite pitcher Taylor Cullen just her second loss this season. Cullen is 14-2.

Caroline Chilton led Mesquite with two hits and Fallon Dragich drove in two runs with a seventh-inning single.