On April, 27, the Winslow Lady Bulldogs went into the State Championship bracket has the sixth seed and hosted the 11th seed Tanque Verde Lady Hawks. The day was less than desirable for a softball game with 40-mile wind gusts and cold gray skies that sprinkled on the teams and fans the first couple of innings but the fans stayed to cheer on their teams.
In the top of the first inning, the Lady Hawks would score three runs, which would come on a Gabby Fukunaga two-run triple and she would also score on a passed ball.
In the bottom of the first, the Lady Bulldogs would each hit their way on base with singles and RBI’s by Lianya Brown, Angela Salazar who would keep the fans on the edge of their seats when she got out of a pickle play, Brinleigh Arredondo who would be the RBI of Jauslyn Nells. To tie the game at three runs each.
The next two innings would find both pitchers getting numerous strike-outs and the defense doing some amazing plays including an amazing double-play by Lady Bulldogs first baseman Ara Leonard who would make a hard-hit line drive catch and quick thinking to get back to the base to end the fourth inning.
In the top of the fifth the Lady Hawks, with two outs would capitalize on a couple of unforced errors by the Lady Bulldogs where Emily Ryan, Claire Achilles and Lizzy Pratt would be able to score. Sara Hoagland would score on an RBI single by Fukunaga. Tanque Verde would take a 7-3 lead over the Lady Bulldogs.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady Bulldogs would score the final run of the game on an RBI single by Arredondo for a final score of Winslow 4 and Tanque Verde 7.
Winslow had eight hits, four runs, 2 errors and stranded 3 runners. Pitcher Kyah Wilcox had 6 strikeouts.
Tanque Verde had 6 hits, 7 runs, and stranded 3 runners. Pitchers Fukunaga had 3 strikeouts and Achilles had 7 strikeouts.
Winslow finished the season with a 19-12 record. Also making the 3-A East First Team was pitcher Jauslyn Nells, and Angela Salazar and Kendra Ybarra both position players. Making Second Team were pitcher Kyah Wilcox and position player Lianya Brown.
Honorable mention went to Ara Leonard and Saleah Tucker. Special acknowledgment went to Brinleigh Arredondo for Region Offensive Player of the Year and Region Co-Coach of the Year Quentin Hayes.
