Lady Bulldogs Fall To Payson In Semifinal State Tourney Game

Santa Cruz defeated American Leadership Academy 4-3 on May 2 to advance to meet the higher seeded Bulldogs.

The Dust Devils threatened in the first inning, but left the bases loaded when Analisa Ramos took a called third strike to end the inning. Arilena Martinez had a one out single, the next batter flew out, but the next two batters walked before Ceyanne Benally struck out Ramos.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Hailee Branson singled and scored on a single by Tara Wilson. Harleigh Scott knocked Wilson in on an infield single. Winslow runners stole three bases in the inning, but left two runners stranded. The Bulldogs led 2-0 after two innings of play.

The Dust Devils got the first two batters on base in the top of the third on a walk and a hit, but again did not score.

Winslow took advantage of two Santa Cruz errors, batting around with five hits and a hit batsman. Taylor Holeva doubled following a walk and the two errors to knock in two runs. Wilson singled to plate two more. Gabrielle Gonzales knocked in another run on an infield hit. Richelyn Villanueva singled in the sixth run of the inning.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 9-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning when, after two outs, Wilson and Elizabeth Lozano hit long triples.

Santa Cruz got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when Tyler Gil hit a long home run after a single by Mia Baldenegro. The Dust Devils got two more runners on base, but they were stranded and Winslow led 9-2.

Winslow increased its lead when Alyssa Smith singled and went to third on an error in the outfield. She scored on a ground ball by Branson, who was safe on the fielder’s choice, scored on a single by Holeva. That completed the scoring and was the final score when Benally shut out the Dust Devils in the seventh inning.

Benally went the full seven innings for the win, giving up two runs on seven hits and four walks. She fanned four.

Wilson led Winslow at the plate with three hits in four trips, including a triple. Holeva was 2 for 4 with a double. Lozano was 1 for 2 with a triple. Scott was 1 for 3. Gonzales, Villanueva, Smith and Branson were all 1 for 4.

Tanque Verde reached the quarterfinals by defeating Lee Williams 7-0.

The Bulldogs got off to a good start against the Hawks when Villanueva blasted a long home run over the center field fence in the top of the first inning. Smith walked and scored on a double by Branson. The rally gave Winslow a 2-0 lead.

Winslow increased the lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning. Wilson singled, Lozano had a bunt single and Scott, an infield single. Gonzales hit a sacrifice fly to score Wilson.

Branson smacked a grand slam home run in the top of the sixth inning to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead. The blast followed singles by Scott, Gonzales and Smith.

Tanque Verde got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning when Nataly Perez doubled and scored on a single by Kellye Springstead. Rianna Campague singled, as did Angelica Dains to score Springstead. Lily Smith singled to score Campague. The results left Winslow with a 7-3 lead.

The Bulldogs posted insurance runs that put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh inning. Scott, Gonzales and Smith singled, with Scott scoring. Branson hit a three-run homer for the seventh RBIs to give Winslow an 11-3 lead.

Tanque Verde scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but the Bulldogs walked away with the win and a berth in the semifinals on Saturday.

Villanueva went the distance for the win, giving up five runs on 10 hits and a walk. She fanned five.

The Bulldogs cracked out 18 hits, including three home runs. Scott was 4 for 4. Gonzales was 3 for 4. Branson was 3 for 5 with two home runs and a double. Wilson was 3 for 5 with a double. Lozano was 2 for 3. Smith was 2 for 4. Villanueva was 1 for 4 with a home run.

Saturday’s game with Payson started late due to some questions about the legality of bats and other equipment.

Payson had a serious threat in the bottom of the first inning, but Winslow got out without giving up a run. Aubriella Paulson reached second on an error to open the bottom of the first inning, but after she was sacrificed to third, she was cut down at the plate. Arissa Paulson doubled, but was stranded as Villanueva got out of the jam.

The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a long home run by Wilson.

Payson tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Becky Bauer singled, went to second on a wild pitch, was sacrificed to third and scored on a single by Karlie Smith.

Winslow took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning when Gonzales singled, Villanueva walked, Smith sacrificed them to second and third, and Branson singled them both home.

Arissa Paulson homered in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut Winslow’s lead to 3-2. It was her third hit in as many trips to the plate.

Payson got singles from Payton Peterson and Bauer to start the bottom of the seventh inning. The Longhorns tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Janet Johnson. The game went into extra innings.

Arissa Paulson led off the bottom of the eighth inning with her second home run of the game to win the contest for the Longhorns, 4-3. She was also the winning pitcher having worked the full eight innings. She gave up three runs on eight hits and a walk, and struck out 15 Bulldogs.

She also led the Longhorns at the plate with four hits in as many trips to the plate, including two home runs and a double. Peterson and Bauer were both 1 for 3 for Payson.

Villanueva pitched well for Winslow, giving up just four runs on nine hits and a walk. She fanned just one Longhorn.

Wilson led Winslow at the plate with a 2 for 3 day, including a home run. Gonzales and Branson were 2 for 4. Lozano, Villanueva and Alicia O’Haco were all 1 for 3.

Payson took a 35-1 record into the championship game on Monday.

Winslow finished the season with an excellent 25-7 record.