Courtesy Photo.

The Pima Community College softball team (46-17) defeated No. 1 seed Central Arizona College twice to claim the Region I, Division I Championship on Saturday at Central Arizona College in Coolidge. This is back-to-back championships for the Aztecs as they move on to the NJCAA National Tournament in St. George, Utah on May 16-18.

For the second year in a row, Sahuarita graduate Yvette Alvarez was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after pitching 21 innings, going 3-0 and earning two complete-game shutouts.

Alvarez got two groundouts and struck out Central’s Jessica Loiacano, the ACCAC Player of the Year, to close out the final game as the Aztecs won 6-5. She got the win (29-12) after giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Down 2-0 in the third inning, the Aztecs responded when Alejandra Ortiz (Tucson High) hit her first RBI double of the game bringing around Cynthia Pelayo (Vision). Ortiz later scored on an RBI single by Shawna Comeaux (Sabino) to tie it at 2-2.

In the fourth inning, Pelayo gave Pima the lead with a two-run RBI triple. Two batters later, Ortiz hit her second RBI double to plate Pelayo and give the Aztecs a 5-2 lead. Central cut it to 5-4 after the bottom of the fourth but Pima came right back in the fifth when Victoria Mariscal (Douglas) RBI double to make it 6-4.

Central would score once more in the sixth inning as Pima was able to hold off the rally. Comeaux finished 4 for 4 with an RBI, a run scored and a double. Pelayo went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a triple. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, a run scored and two doubles while Mariscal finished 3 for 4 with an RBI and a double.

Pima beat Central in the day’s first game 6-0. Alvarez got the win (28-12) giving up eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk in her complete-game shutout. Central loaded the bases with one out on two occasions but Pima held them in check. Noelle Medina (San Manuel) and Mariscal each went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Pelayo went 1 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored and a triple. Ortiz finished 1 for 3 with an RBI double in the seventh inning and a run scored.

“They turned it on and caught fire,” Pima coach Armando Quiroz said of Pima winning 19 of its last 20 via news release. The sophomores willed us there and they’re not done. They want to win the whole thing.”

The championship game victory gave coach Quiroz his 300th victory as Pima’s head coach. He said, “To get 300 on our way to Nationals is special.” He has a career record of 300-71-1 in almost six seasons at Pima.

Armando Quiroz coaching record:

Flowing Wells: 1999-2005: 161-42-1
Eastern New Mexico: 2006-2007: 46-37
Pima: 2007-Present: 300-71-1

High School Championships
2002 Flowing Wells
2000 Flowing Wells
1999 Flowing Wells

Portions via news release.

Kelsey Smith is congratulated by coach Shannon Woolridge, with pitcher Brittany Woolridge (44) and Bailey Rominger moving in. Andy Morales Photo.

MORE PHOTOS

Only four softball players in the country have 70 or more RBIs this season and one of them is Empire’s Kelsey Smith.

Smith came into the Division III quarterfinal game against Show Low with 70 RBIs and it looked like she would end her season with 70 after Show Low scored three unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the top-seeded Ravens.

Empire had their chances but a base-running mistake in the fourth erased one opportunity to breakthrough and a double play with the bases loaded in the fifth ended another. Even worse, sophomore Brittany Woolridge (15-1) had dominated from the circle with 13 strikeouts and it looked like her efforts were not going to be rewarded.

Then came the bottom of the seventh.

Down 3-0, Christina Slattery picked up her second double of the game to lead things off to give the Ravens some hope. Jessica Perry reached on a hit-by-pitch and both runners advanced on a passed ball.

Elysa Rodriguez singled to bring in Slattery to make it 3-1 with no outs. More hope.

Tazia Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases but a pop fly gave Empire their first out and the fans began to get nervous. Smith stepped to the plate and drove a pitch down the third base line.

By the time Smith pulled up at second base, Perry, Rodriguez and Hernandez had crossed home. RBIs 71, 72 and 73. Game over.

4-3 Empire.

Empire will now play in the D-III semifinals next Friday night in Phoenix.

San Manuel will play in the D-IV semifinals on the same night after they blew past Hayden 11-2.

Cienega found things difficult against Chaparral in D-I action and the Bobcats were eliminated with a 12-3 loss. It will be the last time Cienega plays in D-I after the AIA makes the shift to D-II for all Southern Arizona large schools.

Verrado left 11 runners on base against Ironwood Ridge but Emily Robinson held firm in the circle for the Nighthawks despite allowing two bases loaded situations.

Ironwood Ridge could only manage two hits (two doubles by Alexis Clinton) but a walk issued to Robyn Porter in the third inning resulted in an unearned run later in the inning after Merilee Miller forced Verrado to make a play on her at first base that flew wide.

Ironwood Ridge advances in the elimination bracket and they will be joined by Canyon del Oro. The Dorados scored eight unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning against Kellis to cruise to a 10-0 mercy victory after six innings.

CDO pitcher Alexis Alfonso was unhittable and limited Kellis to one hit and three walks. Meanwhile, CDO gave her support with 12 hits including three hits from Sammy Nettling, a double from Brenna Griesser, two hits from Becca Ziegler, two hits from Makenzie Sullivan and two hits from Carli Campbell.

CDO picked up another unearned run in the fourth to make it 9-0 and they put the game away after Monique Castillo was hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth.

DIVISION I

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
2 Cienega lost to 14 Chaparral, 12-3

DIVISION II

WINNERS BRACKET: Monday, May 6
12 Salpointe vs. 1 Sunrise Mountain, 6:30 pm

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
2 Canyon del Oro beat 3 Kellis, 10-0 (6)
4 Ironwood Ridge beat 9 Verrado, 1-0

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Tuesday, May 7: Rose Mofford
2 Canyon del Oro vs. TBD, 6:30 pm
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. TBD, 6:30 pm

DIVISION III

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4
1 Empire beat 8 Show Low, 4-3
4 Benson lost to 5 Estrella Foothills, 1-0

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Rose Mofford
1 Empire vs. 5 Estrella Foothills, 5:30 pm

DIVISION IV

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4
2 San Manuel beat 7 Hayden, 11-2
8 Valley Union lost to 1 NW Christian, 14-0 (5)

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel vs. 14 Miami, 7:30 pm

Tucson standout Alex Robles picked up a save in the Badgers 6-3 comeback victory over Mountain Pointe Saturday in Tempe. Tucson High was down 3-0 until they exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Andy Morales Photo.

A FEW PHOTOS

DIVISION I

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
2 Tucson High beat 14 Mountain Pointe, 6-3

WINNERS BRACKET FINAL: Thursday, May 9: Diablo Stadium
2 Tucson High vs. 1 Desert Mountain, 6:30 pm

DIVISION II

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
6 Ironwood Ridge beat 10 Nogales, 13-3 (5)

WINNERS BRACKET FINAL: Thursday, May 9: Camelback Ranch
6 Ironwood Ridge vs. 5 Sunnyslope, 6:30 pm

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
4 Sahuaro beat 8 Gila Ridge, 6-5

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Tuesday, May 7: Camelback Ranch
4 Sahuaro vs. 10 Nogales, 4 pm

DIVISION III

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4
13 Empire beat 12 Bisbee, 14-1

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Surprise Stadium
13 Empire vs. 9 Payson, 6:30 pm

DIVISION IV

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4
4 Desert Christian beat 5 Williams, 9-3
7 Pusch Ridge lost to 18 San Manuel, 4-3 (8)

SEMIFINALS: Friday, May 10: Phoenix Municipal
4 Desert Christian vs. 17 Pima, 6:30 pm
18 San Manuel vs. 3 Phoenix Christian, 4 pm

It was another bad weekend for Southern Arizona boy’s volleyball with only Salpointe surviving the first two rounds of the state playoffs.

Southern Arizona’s top player from last year, Jimmy Gehrels, led Salpointe with 23 kills and Ryan Callaghan had 14. Austin Lesser had 43 assists.

The Lancers’ reward is a visit to top seed Desert Vista on Tuesday night in quarterfinal play.

FIRST ROUND: Saturday, May 4
11 Catalina Foothills beat 22 Westwood, 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-23)
13 Sahuaro lost to 20 Chandler, 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-18)
16 Catalina lost to 17 O’Connor, 3-2 (25-16, 21-25, 25-16, 22-25, 15-10)
18 Ironwood Ridge lost to 15 Hamilton, 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-19)
21 Desert View lost to 12 Mesa Mountain View, 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-16)
23 Cienega lost to 10 Perry, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-10)

SECOND ROUND: Saturday, May 4
7 Rincon lost to 10 Perry, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-17)
8 Salpointe beat Deer Valley, 3-1 (25-8, 25-20, 23-26, 28-26)
11 Catalina Foothills lost to 6 Boulder Creek, 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 21-25, 25-16)

QUARTERFINALS: Tuesday, May 7
8 Salpointe at 1 Desert Vista, 7 pm

Rachana Baht talks thing over with Kristie Stevens. Andy Morales Photo.

A FEW PHOTOS

GIRLS DIVISION II

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4
3 Catalina Foothills beat 5 Ironwood Ridge, 5-4

In the world of girl’s tennis in Southern Arizona, only two coaches have won more state titles than Kristie Stevens of Catalina Foothills. HT Clothier coached Duncan to 19 titles from 1946 to 1979 and Cherry Roberds of Miami has the state record with 21 titles from 1973-2004. Stevens just coached the Falcons to their 12th title since 2000.

It’s almost an impossible streak of championships to think about. While Roberds and Clothier dominated the smaller schools in another era, Stevens has been at the top of some of the largest and most dominating programs in the state and there is no one in her rear view mirror.

Stevens would say part of her success has been due to the athletes who have won eight singles titles and eight doubles titles while at Catalina Foothills. And, with players such as Rachana Bhat, Kirtana Bhat, Zaina Sufi, Nooria Sufi, Sam Ruth, BreAnn Cheung, Gaby Dalkin, Mara Frisch and Karen Groll coming through her program, one might say her job was easier but all major programs have had equal talent over the past decade.

Ironwood Ridge coach William Little was able to breakthrough and find a way to overcome Stevens’ grip on the division with a championship last year and a split decision during the regular season this year but it came back down to the final doubles match again with the Bhat sisters fighting for a slim 10-6 victory over Marissa Baca and Kelsey Brown for the final 5-4 victory margin.

The “low” seedings for Foothills at 3 and Ironwood Ridge at 5 became very misleading because the two best teams play each other twice in the regular season. They may not have been seeded 1 and 2 going into the playoffs, but they both knew they were the best and they were the best because of each other.

SINGLES
1: Rachana Baht, CF d. Sara Brown 6-1, 6-1
2: Kirtana Baht, CF, d. Marissa Baca 6-3, 6-2
3: Kelsey Brown, IR, d. katie Watson 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
4: Allison Knox, IR, d. Caroline Leidy 6-1, 6-2
5: Angelica Anderson, CF, d. Steph Nickles 6-4, 6-3
6; Erica Harris, IR, d. Abby Herz 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES
1: R. Baht/K. Baht, CF, d. Baca/K. Brown 10-6
2: S. Brown/Knox, IR, d. Watson/Herz 10-2
3: Leidy/Anderson, CF, d. Nickles/Harris 10-3

Catalina Foothills Girls (12)
2000: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2001: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2002: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2003: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2004: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2005: 4A (Kristie Stevens)
2006: 4A-I (Kristie Stevens)
2007: 4A-I (Kristie Stevens)
2009: 4A-I (Kristie Stevens)
2010: 4A-I (Kristie Stevens)
2011: 4A-I (Kristie Stevens)
2013: D-II (Kristie Stevens)

BOYS DIVISION I

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4
3 Salpointe lost to 1 Brophy, 5-0

Brophy swept through their title match over Salpointe 5-0. It was a replay of Brophy’s 9-0 sweep over Salpointe in the regular season.

SINGLES
2: Kyle Chalmers d. Tyler Linscott 6-0, 7-5
3: Zach Cihler, d. Andrew Dunn 6-4, 6-4
4: Christian Franco, d. Brandon Gerber 7-5, 6-2
5: David Akin, d. Jack Amos 7-5, 7-6
6: JJ Good, d. Joe Lucker 6-4, 6-1

BOYS DIVISION II

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4
3 Ironwood Ridge beat 1 Notre Dame, 5-4

Ironwood Ridge coach Ryan Bais picked up his fourth title since 2008 but his last one almost slipped away after taking a 4-0 lead.

“We were able to get four singles matches early,” explain Bias. “Notre Dame almost did the impossible by sweeping doubles and beating us. They took 1 and 3 doubles quickly to tie the match at 4-4.

“We were down 4-7 in two doubles. We made some quick adjustments and it led to Alex Bose and Ryan Knox rolling off six straight games to clinch the title.”

Bose and Knox get nothing but praise from Bias:

“They came through big on back to back days. Ryan has been clutch for us the past two seasons in pressure situations. Our senior leadership and experience really pulled us through this weekend to get the repeat. Adam Knox won a big match today as well to cap off an undefeated season in singles.”

SINGLES
1: Adrian Cordova, ND, d. AlexBose 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2: Luke Carstens, ND, d. Cody Petford 6-3, 7-6
3: Adam Knox, IR, d. Kenrad Krolls 6-0, 6-3
4: Ryan Knox. IR, d. Mark Prygolki 6-2, 7-5
5: Nick Thompson, IR, d. CJ Harvey 6-3, 6-2
6: Justin Nickles, IR, d. Bradley Friedman 6-1, 7-6

DOUBLES
1: Carstens/Cordova, ND, d. A. Knox/Petford 10-5
2: Bose/R. Knox, IR, d. Krolls/Prygolki 10-7
3: Harvey/Connor Miller, ND, d. Thompson/Nickles 10-5

Ironwood Ridge Boys (4)
2008: 5A-II (Ryan Bais)
2009: 5A-II (Ryan Bais)
2012: D-II (Ryan Bais)
2013: D-II (Ryan Bais)

BOYS DIVISION III

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4
3 Pusch Ridge beat 5 Fountain Hills, 5-3

David Towne almost picked up his second team title on the boy’s side last year but he broke through for his second title in three years with a 5-3 win over Fountain Hills on Saturday.

Towne also has three titles coaching the Pusch Ridge girls.

SINGLES
1: Matt Fischer, FH, d. Evan Gazic 1-6, 6-2, 6-1
2: Joel Johnson, PR, d. Tim Schlum 7-5, 7-5
3: Michael Houser, PR, d. Matt Seiw ert 4-6 6-3, 7-5
4: Dominick Cocciola, FH, d. Cameron Vick 3-6, 6-0, retired
5: Brendan Bernal, PR, d. ReidSanchez 6-2, 6-0
6: Davis Towne, PR, d. Dillan Nash 6-1, 6-1.

DOUBLES
Vick/Towne, PR, d. Sanchez/Nash 10-4

Pusch Ridge Boys (2)
2011: 2A/3A (David Towne)
2013: D-III (David Towne)

DIVISION I

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
2 Tucson High vs. 14 Mountain Pointe, 4 pm (Tempe Diablo)

DIVISION II

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
6 Ironwood Ridge vs. 10 Nogales, 4 pm (Camelback Ranch)

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
4 Sahuaro vs. 8 Gila Ridge, 3 pm (Surprise)

DIVISION III

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3
7 Willcox lost to 10 Chino Valley, 10-0 (5)
12 Bisbee beat 5 Estrella Foothills, 8-1
13 Empire beat 4 Scottsdale Christian, 9-6

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4: Surprise Complex
12 Bisbee vs. 13 Empire, 5 pm

DIVISION IV

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3
4 Desert Christian beat 13 Tempe Prep, 7-3
7 Pusch Ridge beat 23 Bagdad, 12-6
18 San Manuel beat 2 St. Johns, 6-5

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4: Goodyear
4 Desert Christian vs. 5 Williams, 11 am
7 Pusch Ridge vs. 18 San Manuel, 11 am

DIVISION I

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Cienega vs. 14 Chaparral, 11:30 am

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Canyon del Oro vs. 3 Kellis, 11:30 am
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 9 Verrado, 11:30 am

DIVISION III

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3
1 Empire beat 17 Blue Ridge, 7-1
4 Benson beat 20 Camp Verde, 4-3
18 Thatcher lost to 2 Payson, 9-0

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
1 Empire vs. 8 Show Low, 9:30 am
4 Benson vs. 5 Estrella Foothills, 9:30 am

DIVISION IV

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3
2 San Manuel beat 15 St. David, 11-1 (6)
3 Tanque Verde lost to 14 Miami, 5-4
8 Valley Union beat 9 Salt River, 10-9 (8)
22 Desert Christian lost to 6 Phoenix Christian, 6-2

QUARTERFINALS: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel vs. 7 Hayden, 9:30 am
8 Valley Union vs. 1 NW Christian, 9:30 am

On the girl’s side, Catalina Foothills and Ironwood Ridge will continue their rivalry in the Division II championship set for 2 pm at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale. Salpointe, Safford and Desert Christian ended their seasons in the semifinal round.

The Salpointe boys will play for D-I state championship at 11 am, Ironwood Ridge at 2 pm and Pusch Ridge at 5 pm. Salpointe knocked off the top seeded Brophy team and The Ridge defeated Catalina Foothills to get there.

Pusch Ridge upset Estrella Foothills in their semifinal match.

GIRLS DIVISION I

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
13 Salpointe lost to 1 Xavier, 5-0

GIRLS DIVISION II

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
3 Catalina Foothills beat 7 Prescott, 5-0
5 Ironwood Ridge beat 1 Notre Dame, 5-3

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4, Paseo Racquet Center
3 Catalina Foothills vs. 5 Ironwood Ridge, 2 pm

GIRLS DIVISION III

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
3 Safford lost to 10 Phoenix Country Day, 5-4
5 Desert Christian lost to 1 Miami, 5-4

BOYS DIVISION I

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
3 Salpointe beat 2 Hamilton, 5-0

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4, Paseo Racquet Center
3 Salpointe vs. 1 Brophy, 11 am

BOYS DIVISION II

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
3 Ironwood Ridge beat 2 Catalina Foothills, 5-4

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4, Paseo Racquet Center
3 Ironwood Ridge vs. 1 Notre dame, 2 pm

BOYS DIVISION III

Semifinals: Friday, May 3
1 Thatcher lost to 5 Fountain Hills, 4-5
3 Pusch Ridge beat 2 Estrella Foothills, 5-2

CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, March 4, Paseo Racquet Center
3 Pusch Ridge vs. 5 Fountain Hills, 5 pm

DIVISION I

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Cienega vs. 14 Chaparral, 11:30 am

DIVISION II

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Canyon del Oro vs. 3 Kellis, 11:30 am
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 9 Verrado, 11:30 am

DIVISION III

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2
18 Thatcher beat 15 Wickenburg, 5-4
23 Safford lost to 11 Window Rock, 10-5

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Rose Mofford
1 Empire vs. 17 Blue Ridge, 6 pm
4 Benson vs. 20 Camp Verde, 6 pm
18 Thatcher vs. 2 Payson, 8 pm

DIVISION IV

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Rose Mofford
15 St. David beat 18 Antelope, 16-5
16 San Miguel lost to 17 Tempe Prep, 4-1
22 Desert Christian beat 11 Valley Christian, 9-2

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Rose Mofford
2 San Manuel vs. 15 St. David, 6 pm
3 Tanque Verde vs. 14 Miami, 4 pm
8 Valley Union vs. 9 Salt River, 4 pm
22 Desert Christian vs. 6 Phoenix Christian, 4 pm

DIVISION I

THIRD ROUND: Thursday, May 2
2 Tucson High beat 10 Chaparral, 6-1

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
2 Tucson High vs. 14 Mountain Pointe, 4 pm (Tempe Diablo)

DIVISION II

THIRD ROUND: Thursday, May 2
4 Sahuaro lost to 5 Sunnyslope, 8-5
6 Ironwood Ridge beat 3 Notre Dame, 3-1
10 Nogales beat 2 Greenway, 7-4

WINNERS BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
6 Ironwood Ridge vs. 10 Nogales, 4 pm (Camelback Ranch)

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4
4 Sahuaro vs. 8 Gila Ridge, 3 pm (Surprise)

DIVISION III

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Surprise Complex
7 Willcox vs. 10 Chino Valley, 4 pm
12 Bisbee vs. 5 Estrella Foothills, 4 pm
13 Empire vs. 4 Scottsdale Christian, 6:30 pm

DIVISION IV

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Goodyear
4 Desert Christian vs. 13 Tempe Prep, 6:30 pm
7 Pusch Ridge vs. 23 Bagdad, 4 pm
18 San Manuel vs. 2 St. Johns, 6:30 pm

Aubre Carpenter. Andy Morales Photo.

All Conference Infield
1st team, Pima, Aubre Carpenter, SS (Sabino)
2nd team, Yavapai, Valerie Luera, 3B (Cienega)
2nd team, Pima, Noelle Medina, 2B (San Manuel)

All Conference Outfield
1st team, Pima, Cynthia Pelayo, CF (Vision)
2nd team, Pima, Gemma Contreras, RF (Salpointe)
3rd team, Central, Chelsea Gourdin, LF (Marana)

All-Conference Battery
1st team, Pima, Yvette Alvarez, P 9Sahuarita)
1st team, Yavapai, Aundria Zuniga-Romero, P (Safford)
2nd team, Pima, Alejandra Ortiz, C (Tucson High)

All-Conference Utility
1st team, Paradise Valley, Erika Tapia (Douglas)

Division 1 All Region Infield
All-Region, Pima, Aubre Carpenter, SS

Division 1 All Region Outfield
All-Region, Pima, Cynthia Pelayo, CF
All-Region, Pima, Gemma Contreras, RF

Division 1 All-Region Battery
All-Region, Pima, Yvette Alvarez, P
All-Region, Yavapai, Aundria Zuniga-Romero, P
All-Region, Pima, Alejandra Ortiz, C

Division 1 All Region Utility
Pima, Victoria Mariscal (Douglas)

Division 2 All Region Utility
Paradise Valley, Erika Tapia

Division 1 All-American Nominations
Yvette Alvarez, Pima, P
Aundria Zunia-Romero, Yavapai, P
Cyntha Pelayo, Pima, OF
Erika Tapia, Paradise Valley, UT

Rincon/UHS and Salpointe earned first round byes and will play host to the first two rounds of Division I action. Of the 24 teams that made the playoffs, eight are from Southern Arizona.

Rincon and Salpointe will play in the second round which will be held later in the day. The quarterfinals will be held Tuesday, May 7 at the home of the higher seed.

Saturday, May 4
7 Rincon hosts winner of Cienega/Perry, 3:30 pm
8 Salpointe hosts winner of Deer Valley/Liberty, 3:30 pm
11 Catalina Foothills vs. 22 Westwood at Boulder Creek, 12 pm
13 Sahuaro vs. 20 Chandler at Gilbert, 12 pm
16 Catalina vs. 17 O’Connor at Desert Vista, 12 pm
18 Ironwood Ridge vs. 15 Hamilton at Highland, 12 pm
21 Desert View vs. 12 Mesa Mountain View at Brophy, 12 pm
23 Cienega vs. 10 Perry at Rincon, 12 pm

Kelsey Wuoti . Courtesy Photo.

Mountain View standout swimmer Kelsey Wuoti signed with the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Wuoti was a two-time All-American swimmer while representing Mountain View.

Wuoti was also a Second Team All-Southern Arizona selection in the 200 Freestyle and a Third Team member in the 500 Freestyle in 2012.

In 2011, Wuoti was a First Team selection in the 100 Butterfly as well as Second Team in the 200 Free. As a sophomore in 2010, Wuoti was a First Team member in the 200 Free.

Salpointe head coach Stacy Redondo Schulte has her team winning and believing. Andy Morales Photo.

Two things immediately jump out at you when you look over the results from Wednesday night. First, Salpointe has to be the hottest team in the state right now and, second, having Canyon del Oro and Cienega travel to Phoenix to play their playoff games made little to no sense.

Salpointe’s roll through their last four games began with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss at CDO on April 23 and then moved on to a 7-5 win over Sahuaro, a run-rule over Mohave (12-2) in the first round of the Division II playoffs, an upset over Paradise Valley (6-1) in the second round and an upset over Ironwood Ridge (9-5) to put them in the final four in the winner’s bracket.

The 12-seeded Lancers will now face the top seed in Sunrise Mountain on Monday night, May 6 in Phoenix.

With the Ironwood Ridge/Salpointe game being played close to home at Cherry Field, the AIA already had a facility rented and available to host the Cienega/Desert Ridge and CDO/Greenway games on the same night.

When two teams from Tucson are matched together during the early phases of a state playoff, they get to play the game in the Tucson area. That’s what happened with Ironwood Ridge and Salpointe. Cherry Field was already rented.

The fact that Cherry Field was available negates the argument that there would be extra costs in renting a facility in Tucson for CDO and Cienega.

Cienega is the 2 seed in Division I yet they had to travel from Vail to play a late-night game against the 10 seed Mesa Desert Ridge at the Rose Mofford facility in Phoenix. A two-hour plus trip for the 2 seed to play a team with a 20-minute drive with a much, much lower seed.

CDO is the 2 seed in D-II yet they had to travel to Rose Mofford as the “home” team to play the 7 seed Phoenix Greenway. Greenway is located literally across the street from Rose Mofford.

Forget about the “fairness” and the already rented local facility, despite being so close to Rose Mofford, Greenway only came with two dozen fans counted in the stands. A playoff game at Cherry Field would have drawn well over 200 fans easily and the AIA knows this. Even more, having Cienega play on the same night would have brought another hundred fans or so.

At $10 a ticket, the AIA would have pocketed well over $3,000 but they settled for a couple of hundred bucks to preserve what many fans from Tucson consider a “Phoenix-first” mentality. The feeling is that the Tucson-area school districts are outnumbered when it comes to making these sort of decisions.

That said, the games still had to be played and Cienega came up short and lost 2-1 and CDO lost 4-0.

There is hope for both teams due to the double-elimination phase for D-I and D-II. CDO came through the elimination bracket last year to win it all.

Alexis Alfonso. Andy Morales Photo.

While Greenway pitcher Madison Creed kept the Dorados off the bases with only six scattered hits, the CDO defense made Alexis Alfonso’s work from the circle much harder.

CDO managed a walk from Monique Castillo to lead off the bottom of the third inning but a popped-up bunt erased that threat. Niki Gonzalez was robbed of a triple in the bottom of the fourth inning but it became a moot point when the inning ended on a ground out.

Gonzalez had hit the ball to the gap and the center fielder fell over the temporary fencing but the ball remained in the field of play. Unfortunately, the umpire in the field threw his arms up in anticipation of a ground-rule double call and he called the play dead. With apologies from the umpire, the blown call resulted in Gonzalez being sent back to second base.

Castillo singled with two outs in the bottom of the fifth but was stranded, Carli Campbell and Sammy Nettling singled in the bottom of the sixth with no result and Makenzie Sullivan led off the bottom of the seventh with a single but Creed took out the next three batters to end the game.

As said before, things didn’t quit go that easily for Alfonso. An error on a rundown between second and third base with two outs in the top of the fourth resulted in an unearned run when Kelsea Baker knocked in Taylor Pennington from third base on an infield hit.

Another infield error with two outs in the top of the fifth inning allowed Ashley Johnson to score from second base to make it 2-0. Greenway was able to put the game away in the top of the seventh with two more unearned runs.

Cheyann Michael singled to start things off and then Johnson reached on a bunt via an open base. Bridgette Vargas popped up to Alfonso for the first out and a misplay at second base in an attempt to double-up Vargas (who had taken off for third base on the pop fly) allowed Vargas to score for the third unearned run.

Instead of there being two outs with a runner at first base, Greenway was still in business with Johnson standing on third base with one out. Robyn Rall followed with another single to score Johnson and that run became unearned after Alfonso picked up what should have been the third out on the next batter.

Even with all the unearned runs, Creed was still unhittable. She picked up seven strikeouts with three of them being of the non-swinging variety.

Cienega, CDO and Ironwood Ridge will all play in Phoenix on Saturday morning in elimination games. D-III and D-IV play begins on Thursday in Phoenix.

DIVISION I

THIRD ROUND: Wednesday, May 1
2 Cienega lost to 10 Desert Ridge, 2-1

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Cienega vs. 14 Chaparral, 11:30 am

DIVISION II

THIRD ROUND: Wednesday, May 1
2 Canyon del Oro lost to 7 Greenway, 4-0
12 Salpointe beat 4 Ironwood Ridge, 9-5

ELIMINATION BRACKET: Saturday, May 4: Rose Mofford
2 Canyon del Oro vs. 3 Kellis, 11:30 am
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 9 Verrado, 11:30 am

DIVISION III

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Rose Mofford
Byes: 1 Empire and 4 Benson
18 Thatcher vs. 15 Wickenburg, 7:30 pm
23 Safford vs. 11 Window Rock, 7:30 pm

DIVISION IV

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Rose Mofford
Byes: 2 San Manuel, Tanque Verde and 8 Valley Union
15 St. David vs. 18 Antelope, 6 pm
16 San Miguel vs. 17 Tempe Prep, 4 pm
22 Desert Christian vs. 11 Valley Christian, 4 pm

GIRLS DIVISION I

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
13 Salpointe beat 5 Pinnacle, 5-4

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Scottsdale Ranch
13 Salpointe vs. 1 Xavier, Noon

GIRLS DIVISION II

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
2 Nogales lost to 7 Prescott, 5-3
3 Catalina Foothills beat 6 Arcadia, 5-0
5 Ironwood Ridge beat 12 Sabino, 5-0

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Paseo Racquet Center
3 Catalina Foothills vs. 7 Prescott, Noon
5 Ironwood Ridge vs. 1 Notre Dame, 11 am

GIRLS DIVISION III

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
3 Safford beat 6 NW Christian, 5-4
5 Desert Christian beat 13 Pusch Ridge, 5-2

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Paseo Racquet Center
3 Safford vs. 10 Phoenix Country Day, 4 pm
5 Desert Christian vs. 1 Miami, 3 pm

BOYS DIVISION I

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
3 Salpointe beat 6 Chaparral, 5-0

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Scottsdale Ranch
3 Salpointe vs. 2 Hamilton, 3 pm

BOYS DIVISION II

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
2 Catalina Foothills beat 10 Gila Ridge, 5-1
3 Ironwood Ridge beat 11 Saguaro, 5-0

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Paseo Racquet Center
2 Catalina Foothills vs. 3 Ironwood Ridge, 10 am

BOYS DIVISION III

Second Round: Tuesday, April 30
1 Thatcher beat 9 Morenci, 5-2
3 Pusch Ridge beat 6 St. Gregory, 5-4
4 Safford lost to 5 Fountain Hills, 5-2

Semifinals: Friday, May 3: Paseo Racquet Center
1 Thatcher vs. 5 Fountain Hills, 1 pm
3 Pusch Ridge vs. 2 Estrella Foothills, 2 pm

DIVISION I

SECOND ROUND: Tuesday, April 30
17 Cienega lost to 1 Desert Mountain, 12-6
2 Tucson High beat 15 Sunnyside, 2-0

THIRD ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Phoenix Municipal
2 Tucson High vs. 10 Chaparral, 6:30 pm

DIVISION II

SECOND ROUND: Tuesday, April 30: 4 pm
6 Ironwood Ridge beat 11 Arcadia, 15-5
10 Nogales beat 7 Coconino, 14-5
4 Sahuaro beat 13 Catalina Foothills, 10-0
16 Canyon del Oro lost to 1 Seton Catholic, 19-10

THIRD ROUND: Thursday, May 2
4 Sahuaro vs. 5 Sunnyslope, 4 pm (Camelback Ranch)
6 Ironwood Ridge vs. 3 Notre Dame, 4 pm (Surprise)
10 Nogales vs. 2 Greenway, 6:30 pm (Surprise)

DIVISION III

FIRST ROUND: Tuesday, April 30
12 Bisbee beat 21 Window Rock, 11-1
13 Empire beat 20 Winslow, 9-2
24 Rio Rico lost to 9 Payson, 4-3

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Surprise Complex
7 Willcox vs. 10 Chino Valley, 4 pm
12 Bisbee vs. 5 Estrella Foothills, 4 pm
13 Empire vs. 4 Scottsdale Christian, 6:30 pm

DIVISION IV

FIRST ROUND: Tuesday, April 30
10 St. David lost to 23 Bagdad, 11-4
14 Valley Union lost to 19 Veritas Prep, 6-5
18 San Manuel beat 15 Mogollon, 17-1
20 Tanque Verde lost to 13 Tempe Prep, 4-1
24 Ajo lost to 9 Scottsdale Prep, 20-5

SECOND ROUND: Friday, May 3: Goodyear
4 Desert Christian vs. 13 Tempe Prep, 6:30 pm
7 Pusch Ridge vs. 23 Bagdad, 4 pm
18 San Manuel vs. 2 St. Johns, 6:30 pm

April 28-30: Hermosillo, Sonora

Team USA at Opening Ceremonies. Courtesy Photo.

A local 12U team from the Arizona International Baseball Consortium (AIBC) and Tucson CHAMPS represented Team USA at the 34th Annual Campeonato de Beisbol Infantil de las Americas (Youth Baseball Championship of the Americas).

Former Arizona and Major Leaguer George Arias is the Director of Operations for AIBC

Team Roster
Paul Carreno
Travis Cole
Jose Cornejo
Omar Felix
Ivan Gallego
Ryan Grabosch
Artemio Hoyos
Max Leon
Trey Meza
Matthew Mungaray
Angel Ortiz
Ian Osete
Kiko Romero
Miley Villa

Coaches
Artemio Hoyos
Ernie Meza
Jason Grabosch

Results
USA over Jalisco, 8-0
USA over Puerto Rico, 12-0
USA lost to Sonora, 10-5
USA lost to Nuevo León, 19-15
USA over Chihuahua, 13-0
USA lost to Baja California 14-4 (4th Place)

DIVISION I

SECOND ROUND: Tuesday, April 30
12 Sunnyside lost to 5 Mesa Mountain View, 2-1 (10)
2 Cienega beat 15 Tucson, 9-6
7 Marana lost to 10 Desert Ridge, 6-2

THIRD ROUND: Wednesday, May 1
2 Cienega vs. 10 Desert Ridge, 7:30 pm (Rose Mofford)

DIVISION II

SECOND ROUND: Tuesday, April 30
2 Canyon del Oro beat 15 Sabino, 2-0
4 Ironwood Ridge beat 13 Desert Edge, 7-6
10 Sahuaro lost to 7 Greenway, 5-0
12 Salpointe beat 5 Paradise Valley, 6-1

THIRD ROUND: Wednesday, May 1
2 Canyon del Oro vs. 7 Greenway, 5:30 pm (Rose Mofford)
4 Ironwood Ridge vs. 12 Salpointe, 6:30 pm (Cherry Field)

DIVISION III

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Rose Mofford
Byes: 1 Empire and 4 Benson
18 Thatcher vs. 15 Wickenburg, 7:30 pm
23 Safford vs. 11 Window Rock, 7:30 pm

DIVISION IV

FIRST ROUND: Thursday, May 2: Rose Mofford
Byes: 2 San Manuel, Tanque Verde and 8 Valley Union
15 St. David vs. 18 Antelope, 6 pm
16 San Miguel vs. 17 Tempe Prep, 4 pm
22 Desert Christian vs. 11 Valley Christian, 4 pm

RaShawn Avery. Andy Morales Photo.

Buena standout RaShawn Avery signed with Trinidad State Junior College (Colorado) on Monday.

Avery was a First Team All-Southern Arizona selection this past winter. He was also a Tucson Sertoma Club Southern Arizona Player of the year Nominee.

According to his coach, Dave Glasgow, Avery broke or tied eight school records and led a team that had five sophomores to 21 wins and an opening round win in the Division I State Tournament.

Avery follows 2011 Buena graduate Devonte Malcolm to Trinidad State . Malcolm set a school record with 223 three point goals in his two years at Trinidad . His 120 three pointers this past season was second in the nation among Junior College players. He has signed with Colorado State University-Pueblo

Former University of Arizona softball standout Laura Espinoza-Watson was inducted into the Los Angeles Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Espinoza-Watson was the only softball player recognized along with some of the biggest names in sports.

Here is a small sample of the others inducted:

SOFTBALL
Laura Espinoza Watson, Banning

GYMNASTICS
Mitch Gaylord, Grant

BASKETBALL
Kiki Vandeweghe, Palisades
Sidney Wicks, Hamilton

BASEBALL
Robin Yount, Taft
Eddie Murray, Locke

FOOTBALL
Warren Moon, Hamilton

TRACK & FIELD
Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jordan

AT-LARGE
Oscar De La Hoya, Garfield