By Don Ketchum

Katie Applebe’s high school softball career could not have ended any better than it did on Wednesday night (June 8).

The senior from Phoenix Xavier Prep drove in what proved to be the winning run in the sixth inning with a double just inside the right-field line as the North defeated the South 3-2 in the Arizona Coaches Association Class 5A All-Star game at Gilbert Mesquite.

The hit came with two outs and brought home Sarah Edwards of Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor. Edwards led off the inning with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Sandra Day O’Connor teammate Sam Bedker.

“I’m usually a slap hitter, but I decided to hit away. I’ve been practicing that a lot lately,’’ said Applebe, who played catcher for a few innings and moved to the outfield. “I was hoping for an inside pitch and I got one.

“It was a nice end to a great season.’’

Applebe now has an MVP award to take with her when she plays softball at Harvard. She is looking forward to her athletic and academic experiences.

She said Harvard played in a recent NCAA Regional against the University of Arizona in Tucson.

“I think they have a good program,’’ she said of Harvard.

Applebe’s hit made a winner of Glendale Deer Valley pitcher Lauren Haeger.

Haeger, headed for the University of Florida and The Arizona Republic’s Big School Player of the Year, struck out seven batters while pitching the last three innings.

“That’s just the way she is – consistent,’’ said Deer Valley’s Carl Bakemeier, who coached the North team.

The North grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jessica Guffey (Scottsdale Desert Mountain) drove in Maddie Francis (Desert Mountain) with a single, and Haeger walked and later scored on a wild pitch.

Two Mesa Red Mountain players teamed up to provide the South with its first run in the bottom of the first inning.

Sara Goodrum hit a single with one out and scored on a double by Courtney Sherwin.

The South tied it with a run in the second as Marisella Gonzalez of Mesa Skyline drove in Annie Dyer of Mesa Mountain View with a single.