Sierra Vista’s softball team came into the Desert Region as the No. 4 seed and came within a game of reaching the championship round.
The Mountain Lions opened the tournament with a 12-10 win over rival Desert Oasis, but then lost 10-0 to top-seeded Coronado. Dropping to the loser’s bracket, the Lions knocked off Bishop Gorman, 14-4, and then beat No. 3 Liberty, 8-6.
Playing their second game in the day on Thursday, No. 2 Basic beat the Lions, 11-0.
“It was a nice win to upset Liberty,” said Raul Almaguer, Sierra Vista coach. “But it’s the third straight year we’ve gone over 20 wins.”
Jessica Schneider and Daelynn Hilton got the only two hits in the loss to Basic. Schneider also took the loss at pitcher, but only five of the 10 runs she allowed were earned.
Against Liberty, Sierra Vista scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to come back from a 6-3 deficit to win the game.
Hilton had a home run to go with two hits and three runs batted in. Ryan Watkins also had a home run while Schneider, Mia Buranamontri, Hola Rose Nakayama and Aaliyah Medina each had two hits.
Schneider picked up the win, pitching all seven innings and allowing only three earned runs.
Against Gorman, pitched six innings and allowed only two earned runs for the victory. She also had two hits, along with Buranamontri, Nakayama and Medina. Nakayama and Medina each had three RBI.
In the opener against Desert Oasis, Sierra Vista scored nine runs in the bottom of the seventh to come back from a 10-3 deficit.
Watkins finished the rally with a two-out grand slam to seal the victory. Nakayama had four hits while Buranamontri had three hits and three RBI.
Tyerra Kaaialii was the winning pitcher for Sierra Vista. She also had three hits, including a triple and a double.
Desert Oasis entered the tournament as the No. 5 seed. After the loss to Sierra Vista, the Diamondbacks beat Green Valley, 12-8, but then lost to Liberty, 8-1, to end their season.
John says
Proud, as always, of these girls and the teamwork they showed this year! Well coached, hard working, and they play the game the right way. Next year is our year!
Dr. A
Cathy says
Great write up for our girls.. Goooo Lady Mtn Lions .. Thank you for the article