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(Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Tucson Badger Softball Invitational
Mar. 16-19: Cherry Field
Tucson exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to break open a pitching duel between Nic Conway and Mia Trejo. Held hitless in the first three innings, the Badgers went on to win the championship of the Badger Classic 10-1.
The Falcons got on the scoreboard first after Micayla Brooke reached on a bunt with two outs and Marisa Garcia knocked her in two batters later. The hit by Brooke ended Trejo’s bid for a no-hitter but Romy Sandoval would do the same for the Badgers in the bottom of the fourth.
Sandoval did not play her usual infield position due to illness but the senior was placed in the DH spot on the lineup and the move played off big time.
“I felt sick all day so it was decided that I would DH this game,” Sandoval explained. “I couldn’t help defensively so I tried to do my job on offense.”
Not only did Sandoval breakup Conway’s no-hitter, which led to six runs in the fourth, she connected on a 2-run homer in the sixth to cap the scoring. When it was all over, Sandoval finished 3-4, scored three times and hit the 2-run home run.
Conway had guided the Falcons through six straight games with each being decided by two runs or less. In the end, the sophomore standout hit a wall after giving everything she had all week.
“We battled hard and really worked and never gave up,” Catalina Foothills head coach Mark Stevens said, “Nic did a fantastic job and pitched almost every inning for us. My catcher (Kathryn Lucio), who is usually my first baseman, caught every inning.”
Trejo went on to record nine strikeouts for Tucson, giving up the one unearned run and three hits.
For Tucson, Vanezza Caldera went 2-3 with a 2-RBI double but Sandoval also felt freshman Alyssa Carpio deserved a lot of credit for the win.
“Our team is young and I thanked Alyssa every inning for how she played third base for me,” Sandoval added.
RESULTS
Wednesday, March 16
Buena 11, Cholla 1
Desert View 4, Empire 3
Catalina Foothills 7, Rincon/UHS 6
Vista Grande 4, Flowing Wells 3
Tucson 6, Pueblo 1
Rio Rico 12, Marana 5
Thursday, March 17
Empire 11, Marana 8
Sunnyside 1, Cholla 0
Marana 11, Pueblo 7
Tucson 12, Empire 3
Sunnyside 12, Flowing Wells 2
Sunnyside 11, Cholla 0
Pueblo 13, Rincon 10
Rincon 14, Cholla 0
Desert View 7, Vista Grande 3
Buena 4, Rio Rico 1
Catalina Foothills 3, Desert View 1
Friday, March 18
Pueblo 11, Flowing Wells 1
Tucson 9, Cholla 3
Tucson 14, Flowing Wells 4
Rio Rico 2, Rincon 1
Empire 4, Buena 0
Marana 9, Desert View 8
Catalina Foothills 3, Vista Grande 2
Rio Rico 5, Sunnyside 1
Buena 2, Catalina Foothills 1
Vista Grande 11, Sunnyside 4
Saturday, March 19
CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET
No. 4 Catalina Foothills 2, No. 5 Vista Grande 1
No. 6 Desert View 7, No. 3 Rio Rico 6
No. 7 Sunnyside 5, No. 2 Buena 4
Semifinals
Catalina Foothills 1, Sunnyside 0
No. 1 Tucson 4, Desert View 3
Championship
Tucson 10, Catalina Foothills 1
CONSOLATION BRACKET
No. 11 Rincon 2, No. 10 Pueblo 1
No. 9 Marana 10, No. 12 Flowing Wells 1
Semifinals
No. 8 Empire 5, No. 13 Cholla 1
Marana 6, Rincon 3
Championship
Empire 5, Marana 3
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here, on AZPreps365.com and on the pages of the Vail Voice and the Tanque Verde Voice. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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