(Sahuarita, AZ) Just a quick twenty minutes south of Tucson down the 19 Freeway, there is a softball team that is quietly making noise now that the regular season is winding down and the anticipation of the State Playoffs is looming.
In the softball world in Southern Arizona the defending 3A State Champs are not an enigma but the team to beat. In the metro area of Tucson where most schools are 4A, 5A or 6A the Mustangs often go unnoticed.
Enter junior Gracie Mejia, the ace pitcher for the Mustangs. Her 9-1 record indicates that stellar pitching performances are no stranger to her. The Tanque Verde Hawks were about to find out just how special she was.
In her third year with the Mustangs she’s felt the pressure of being a defending state champion. Every game, every school wants to knock off Sahuarita with the huge bullseye on their jerseys. That factor will help come playoff time. No longer are they the “hunter” but the “hunted.”
Softball in the 520 area code is nothing short of spectacular. Superior High won the 1A 2018 State Title, 2A went to the Benson Bobcats who had also won in 2017. The 3A champs were the Sahuarita Mustangs, 4A went to Salpointe Catholic High and 5A to Cienega, like Benson had won it all in 2017. Other powerhouse teams in the area include Marana Mountain View, Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge and Vail Empire High.
Rio Rico had nothing to combat the speed and control of Mejia on Thursday. If it wasn’t for a hit batter, her no hitter would have been a perfect game which seemed to be the norm this week with Mejia’s former Club Teammate Benson’s Katie Sherman with back to back perfectos.
Mejia’s accolades could fill up a room with athletic hardware. She was the freshman pitcher of the year in 2017. She followed that up in her sophomore year in 2018 with the 3A pitcher of the year and has the fourth fewest walks in Sahuarita Softball history. In both years 2017-18, Mejia made the All Southern Arizona Softball Team.
While playing Club Ball two years ago for the 16U Demarini AZ Athletics (she was 15) threw a no hitter striking out nine batters in a run ruled shortened five inning game.
At a younger age she threw a perfect game at the age of ten and took Copper Hills to the Little League District Championship beating a strong Sunnyside team from Tucson.
To follow up on her no-no, she pitched another three hitless innings as she and her teammates blanked Tanque Verde on Friday 14-0 to wrap up a very productive week. She improved her record now to 10-1.
Don’t fall asleep on this team, they’re on a mission to repeat at 3A State Champions. Head Coach Chris Fanning has them playing solid fundamental ball and keeping their attitudes on point. May is coming soon and the softball world is ready to “go off!” Stay tuned.
Don’t miss the Sahuarita gals on the 520 Sports Talk on Tuesday April 23rd at Frog & Firkin. All the fun starts at 6 pm.
