The Sahuarita High School softball team needed a win in the play-in round just to qualify for the state tournament. Now, the Mustangs are on the cusp of winning it all.
Two weeks after the play-in round, where Sahaurita mercy-ruled Pusch Ridge 13-3, the No. 11-seeded Mustangs will take on No. 5 Winslow at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Arizona State’s Farrington Softball Stadium in Tempe.
“We worked all these years, the last four years, and now it’s like a dream come true,” senior Aviana Alvarez said. “We got so close and now it’s finally happening.”
This is the ninth title game for Sahuarita, which last won a state championship in 2011.
“I think we have a tradition of success here in Sahuarita and this team has just continued that success,” coach Chris Fanning said.
The Mustangs upset No. 6 Payson 4-2 in eight innings in the first round April 28 and then blew out No. 3 Show Low 10-2 on Friday.
On Saturday, Sahuarita pulled its third straight upset and second mercy-rule win of the postseason when it beat No. 7 Empire 14-4 in the semifinals.
Winslow advanced to the title game after knocking off No. 1 River Valley 12-2 in the semis.
Sahuarita senior second baseman Yaseli Mariscal said she doesn’t know much about Winslow’s team, but what she has heard about the Bulldogs hasn’t concerned her.
“As long as we stay sharp and do what we need to do on our end, we’ll be fine,” Mariscal said. “It’s everything right now. We’ve been trying for four years and now that we have the opportunity to bring home rings and banners, not even for ourselves, but for our school and community, it means a lot.”
Alvarez said the team struggled early in the season, but has really come together the last couple of weeks. Fanning said the team struggled with new players and new positions, and it took a while to figure out what worked best for everyone.
But they figured it out.
“I think, as we moved through the season, as I became more comfortable with what the girls’ strengths were, I think they’ve kind of slotted into positions,” Fanning said. “I think they’ve gotten to know each other a little bit better and I think we’re peaking at the right time.”
Now, win or lose, Tuesday’s championship game will be the last for the five seniors: Alvarez, Mariscal, Cheyenne Fox, Areli Jones and Liah Garcia.
Fanning started coaching softball at Sahuarita 27 years ago, but took a three-year break after 19 years, when he took as assistant principal role. He took over the program again four years ago.
So, this group of seniors is special to him because he was able to see their growth over their high school career.
“The growth and maturity that they have made has been tremendous,” Fanning said. “Each year we’ve made it a little bit farther and a little bit farther and then this year we’re playing for the state championship. Even if we wouldn’t have made it this far, it’s been a pleasure to coach these girls.”
Fanning said the team can beat Winslow, but they will need key hitting, strong pitching from Gracie Mejia and solid defense.
Alvarez said it’ll be sad Wednesday to play in her last softball game ever.
“Win or lose, you’ve got to still play with your heart on the field,” Alvarez said. “Leave everything you have.”
