By Greg Perkins Snowflake and Payson have been eyeing each other all season long, with both teams ranked inside the top five in power points for most of the season. Both teams came into Friday’s game with just one loss. Both units also have two of the best pitchers in the east region and maybe in the state. The first much anticipated match up was in Snowflake on Friday. The game billed as a pitcher’s duel played out exactly that way. Payson’s ace Raci Maranda struck out 22 Lobo batters in 10 innings of work. Snowflake’s Anna Berger was nearly as impressive with 16 strikeouts. Both teams scored single runs in the fourth inning and that was it before the Lobos finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game 2-1. Anna Berger not only pitched a great game, she also went 3 for 4 at the plate and scored both of Snowflake’s runs. Jordyn Butler, Maren Berger and Zoie Pearce each had one hit. Nobody on either team had an extra base hit. In fact, Anna Berger only allowed two Longhorn hits in the win. The same two teams will have met in Payson on Tuesday in what is expected to be another great pitching classic. Snowflake, ranked fourth, enters the regular season finale with an overall record of 15-1. Payson fell to No. 6 in the rankings and now has a record of 15-2. Both teams will more than likely host first round state tournament games on Saturday as one of the eight higher seeds. If they win they would host a second round game on Tuesday of next week. The 3A state semifinal and final games will be played at Rose Mofford Softball Complex in Phoenix.
