By Don Ketchum

While Sahuarita High was far from being a one-player softball team this spring, senior pitcher Yvette Alvarez was a big influence for the Mustangs.

She helped them earn the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A Division II tournament and was one of the main reasons why Sahuarita was able to come through with a state championship.

Alvarez was in championship form on Wednesday night (June 8) in the Arizona Coaches Association Class 4A All-Star Game at Gilbert Mesquite.

She gave up one hit in three shutout innings and her third-inning single led to the only run of the game as the South edged the North 1-0.

Alvarez was named the game’s MVP.

Marana’s Chelsea Gourdin led off the third with a bunt single, advanced to second on an error, then scored when Alvarez’s base hit was misplayed in the outfield for an error.

Alvarez, Kiley Raica of Tucson Canyon del Oro and Shelby Johnson of Bullhead City Mohave combined to limit the North to just two hits.