Snowflake has advanced to the semifinal round of the 3A state softball playoffs with two wins over the weekend.
Playing as the third ranked team, the Lady Lobos blanked 14th seeded Fountain Hills in the first round, shutting down the Lady Falcons 7-0. Tori Hill allowed just two hits with 12 strikeouts and only one walk. Defensively, her team played solid behind her, making just one error.
At the plate, Hill went two for four with an RBI. Tandis Yellowhair was also two for four. Stephanie Binnie helped with a triple and an RBI.
On Saturday, the Lady Lobos met up with the sixth ranked Florence Lady Gophers, who came in off of an 8-1 win over 11th ranked Blue Ridge in the first round.
Hill again pitched well, leading her team to a 6-3 win and a berth in the final four. She struck out eight batters, with two walks, and gave up six hits with no earned runs. Defensively, the Lady Lobos made three errors in the win.
Several players hit the ball well, including Tori Gorman, who went two for four with a double. Reagan Ferrell was two for three with an RBI. Hill went one for three and walked once. Yellowhair was one for three with a walk. Stephanie Swihart and Brylee Coplan were each one for three with an RBI.
Through the first two rounds of the state tournament the games have gone exactly as planned, with all the higher seeded teams winning each game. The four remaining teams are the top ranked according to power points. Number one Winslow faces number four Safford in the first semifinal. Snowflake matches up with second seeded Estrella Foothills at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at the Rose Mofford Complex. Friday’s two winners will meet in the championship game at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
