This past week started the first round of 1A State Playoffs for softball and baseball. The teams of the Copper Corridor have been working hard to get the chance at the championship title. Several teams advanced, while some teams closed out their seasons.
Ray vs Williams softball
The Lady ‘Cats, seeded 14, traveled to Williams on Saturday, May 3, to battle the Vikings, seeded 3, in a bid to advance to the second round of the state playoffs.
The Lady ‘Cats struggled to get runs on the board, resulting in a tough loss. The final score of the game was 0-10, closing out the Lady ‘Cats bid for the state championship game.
Ray closed out its season with a final record of 8-19.
San Manuel vs Bagdad softball
The Lady Miners, seeded 12, traveled to Bagdad to take on the Sultans, seeded 5.
The first inning saw the Lady Miners take the lead 7-4, maintaining a lead, until a 10-10 tie in the fourth inning. The girls lost the lead in the fifth and sixth inning, but came back in the seventh, scoring 8 runs while only giving up 2 runs.
The final score of the game was 18-14, giving the Lady Miners the win in an upset that will get them into the quarterfinals.
The Lady Miners will host the quarterfinals on Wednesday, May 7, with a 4 p.m. scheduled start.
Hayden vs Superior softball
The Lady Lobos, seeded 13, traveled to Superior last Friday to face off with the Lady Panthers, seeded 4.
The game started with a Lady Lobo first inning, ending 4-0. During the second inning the Lady Panthers comeback with 5 runs, making it 4-5 during the third inning. The game came to a 6-6 tie in the fourth inning.
The Lady Lobos pulled ahead during the sixth inning, and continued to increase the score gap during the seventh inning. The final score of the game was 14-8, giving the Lady Lobos the win in another upset during the first round of playoffs.
The Lady Panthers closed out their season with a positive final record of 17-7.
The Lady Lobos will travel to San Manuel on Wednesday, May 7, for a 4 p.m. game against the Lady Miners.
Tickets for the Hayden vs. San Manuel softball game can be purchased here: https://gofan.co/event/3586157
Ray vs Williams baseball
The Bearcats, seeded 9, also traveled up to Williams to take on the Vikings, seeded 8.
The first two innings sat scoreless, but in the third inning the boys scored 2 runs. Williams scored 4 runs in the fourth inning, and the Bearcats struggled to catch back up, and were unable to claim the victory.
The final score of the game was 2-7, bringing the Bearcats’ season to a close, with a final record of 11-14.
Superior vs Desert Heights Prep baseball
The Panthers, seeded 13, played against the Coyotes, seeded 4, in Phoenix.
The Coyotes took the lead 0-1 during the first inning, and held onto it until the Panthers scored 8 runs in the fourth inning. The boys only gave up 1 more run, and the final score was 8-2.
With this upset, the boys will make it into the quarterfinals, where they will travel to take on Valley Union on May 10, at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the Superior vs Valley Union baseball game can be purchased here: https://gofan.co/event/3586139
San Manuel vs Duncan baseball
The Miners, seeded 6, played host for their first round game against the Wildkats, seeded 11.
The game started with a 0-0 first inning, but the Miners scored 7 runs in the second inning, followed by 1 run in the third inning. Scoring 2 more runs in the fifth inning, the game concluded after the fifth inning, with a final score of 10-0.
The Miners will advance to the quarterfinals to take on Mogollon, seeded 3, at Mogollon on May 10, at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the San Manuel vs Mogollon baseball game can be purchased here: https://gofan.co/event/3586138
Hayden vs Valley Lutheran baseball
The Lobos, seeded 2, played host to the Flames, seeded 15, for the first round of the state playoffs.
The Lobos came out ready to play, scoring 4 runs in the first inning. During the second inning, the boys scored 2 more runs. In the third inning, the Lobos scored 16 more runs, and made the score 22-0.
The game ended at the bottom of the fourth, giving the Lobos the victory, advancing them into the quarterfinals where they will host St. David, seeded 7, on May 10, with a 2 p.m. start time.
Tickets for the Hayden vs St. David baseball game can be purchased here: https://gofan.co/event/3586140
Good luck to all our athletes in the quarterfinals. And to those whose seasons have ended, congratulations on a successful spring. We look forward to seeing you back on the diamonds next year.