Empire will play for the second title in school history (Empire Photo)

BASEBALL: Sahuarita, Willcox and Valley Union won their respective quarterfinal games on Saturday and the trio of “small schools” from Southern Arizona will be playing in the semifinal rounds of the 3A, 2A and 1A playoffs on Friday, May 12.

SOFTBALL: Empire took out No. 1 River Valley to advance to the 3A state championship game to be played on Tuesday night ASU. This will be the second trip to the final game for the Ravens with the first coming in 2015 when the team won the Division III state championship.

Benson beat San Manual in a 2A semifinal game and the Bobcats will face No. 1 Bourgade Catholic on Monday night at ASU for a shot at a state championship. Benson has three state championships.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

BASEBALL

3A Quarterfinals at Surprise Complex
No. 4 Sahuarita beat No. 5 Yuma Catholic, 11-1 (5)
No. 8 NW Christian beat No. 16 Empire, 7-6

2A Quarterfinal at Goodyear Complex
No. 5 Willcox beat No. 13 Miami, 13-2 (5)
No. 1 Joy Christian beat No. 9 Bisbee, 6-0

1A Quarterfinal at Goodyear Complex
No. 3 Valley Union beat No. 11 Hayden, 6-5
No. 4 Ray beat No.5 St. David, 12-2 (5)

SOFTBALL

3A Semifinal at Rose Mofford
No. 2 Yuma Catholic beat No. 11 Sabino, 3-0
No. 12 Empire beat No. 1 River Valley, 7-6

2A Semifinal at Rose Mofford
No. 2 Benson beat No. 6 San Manuel, 2-0

MONDAY, MAY 8

SOFTBALL

2A Championship at ASU, 7:30 p.m.
No. 2 Benson vs. No. 1 Bourgade Catholic

TUESDAY, MAY 9

SOFTBALL

6A Elimination at Rose Mofford, 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Tucson vs. No. 15 Horizon

4A Championship at ASU, 7:30 p.m.
No. 1 Canyon del Oro vs. No. 3 Sunrise Mountain

3A Championship at ASU, 5 p.m.
No. 12 Empire vs. No. 2 Yuma Catholic

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

BASEBALL

4A Semifinals at Tempe Diablo Stadium
No. 2 Salpointe vs. No. 6 Marcos de Niza, 4 p.m.
No. 1 Nogales vs. No. 4 Canyon del Oro, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

SOFTBALL

5A Semifinals at Rose Mofford, 6:30 p.m.
No. 1 Cienega vs. No. 4 Verrado/No. 5 Chaparral winner
No. 3 Sahuaro vs. No. 10 Queen Creek/No. 2 Shadow Ridge winner

FRIDAY, MAY 12

BASEBALL

3A Semifinal at Surprise Complex, 6 p.m.
No. 4 Sahuarita vs. No. 8 NW Christian

2A Semifinal at Goodyear Complex, 6:30 p.m.
No. 5 Willcox vs. No. 1 Joy Christian

1A Semifinal at Goodyear Complex, 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Valley Union vs. No. 2 Bagdad

SATURDAY, MAY 13

BASEBALL

4A Championship at Maryvale, 7:30 p.m.
Nogales/Canyon del Oro winner vs. TBD

BEACH VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
2017 SOFTBALL/BASEBALL All-FRESHMAN TEAM

FOLLOW @ANDYMORALES8 ON TWITTER!

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 and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com