Little League Softball

Copper Hills advances to state 8-10 softball tournament after claiming District 12 title



Copper Hills will represent District 12 in the state tournament at Cottonwood starting July 9 (Javier Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)

Sophia Molina pitched a no-hitter and produced a run-scoring single as the cleanup batter for Copper Hills in its 11-1 win in four innings Thursday night over Sunnyside in the District 12 8-10 softball championship at Anamax Park in Sahuarita.

Molina struck out nine batters and persevered with the help of her defense to overcome seven walks.

Copper Hills played an error-free game, which is a difficult feat with players at such a young age.

“She knows what she is doing,” Copper Hills manager Alexandria Fibus said of Molina. “She knows she’s got a solid defense so she can put the ball down the middle, and if they catch up to her, the defense is gonna make the plays for her.

“She has a lot of respect, and a lot of confidence in the team behind her. I think that’s what makes it a difference.”

Copper Hills’ lineup produced 11 hits and took advantage of three Sunnyside errors and five walks.

It took an immediate 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first behind an RBI single by Charlotte Vega and RBI double by Tia Pacheco.

After Alexia Ortega’s RBI single gave Copper Hills a 4-1 lead in the second inning, the team from Sahuarita pulled away in the third inning with a six-run rally.

Emma Busey had an RBI single, Vega a two-run double and Remmy Mortensen a two-run single in the rally.

Copper Hills reached the mercy-rule limit of a 10-run lead with one out in the fourth inning when Emaleah Boone walked, advanced to second after Mia Henson walked, and then ran home from second following an error.

“They’re really good,” Fibus said of her lineup. “They’re strong. They work together very well. They all believe in each other, and I think that’s the biggest thing. Everybody has each other’s back.”

Vega finished 2 for 2 with a double and three RBIs and Pacheco was also 2 for 2 with a run, double and RBI.

Mortensen was 1 for 2 with a run and two RBIs, and Busey and Ortega each finished with their run-scoring singles.

Copper Hills advances to the state tournament at Cottonwood, hosted by Verde Valley Little League, with the games starting July 9.

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