(Phoenix, AZ) The Pima Community College softball team (50-7) secured its first 50-win season since 2013 and made history in Region I Playoffs.
The No. 2 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 3 South Mountain Community College 3-2 in eight innings as the Aztecs are the first team to win the Region I, Division I Championship one year and secure the Region I, Division II Championship the following season.
W – Flores (21-3). 2B: Thompson, Martin. SB: Marx, Martin.
With one out in the 8th inning, freshman Belen Camacho (Pueblo HS) hit a fielder’s choice and freshman Amerika Lopez-Bedoy (Sunnyside HS) was out at second base. Freshman Clarissa Figueroa (Mountain View HS) drew a walk to move Camacho to second. Sophomore Talia Martin (Mountain View HS) took a couple pitches and on a 1-1 count, she drove a shot to right center field for a double and Camacho scored from second base to end the game.
“I wasn’t hitting all game, so I got into that box and waited for my inside pitch that she had been throwing me all game,” Martin said. “I was prepared, cleared my mind and wanted to win this game.”
Freshman Arianna Flores (Salpointe Catholic HS) had struck out the side in the top of the 8th inning setting up the heroics of the bottom of the inning.
The Aztecs trailed 1-0 for much of the game as the Cougars drew first blood in the 1st inning.
Freshman Jiselle Nunez (Tucson Magnet HS) started off the 6th inning with a walk. Sophomore Alyssa Noriega (Pueblo HS) got on base with a single. Sophomore Natalya Rivera (Sunnyside HS) hit a sacrifice-bunt to move pinch runners Taiya Teixeira (Salpointe Catholic HS) and Nevaeh Bracamonte into scoring position. Sophomore Jessica Thompson (Tanque Verde HS) came on to pinch hit, and on the second offering she saw, hit a shot to left field scoring both Teixeira and Bracamonte to put the Aztecs ahead 2-1.
“There was a lot of pressure because there were two outs. I knew when I went in that I had to get those two runs in; or at least one in just to get it going,” Thompson said. “I was nervous, but I tried to keep the moment small, and when I went into the box, I just stepped up and watched the (first) ball go by and it wasn’t my pitch. The second pitch was mine, so I took my swing.”
The Cougars tied the game, scoring on a passed ball in the bottom of the 7th. They left a runner stranded on second base to end the inning.
Thompson finished 1 for 1 with two RBIs while Martin went 1 for 5 with an RBI. Marx was 2 for 4 while Noriega went 2 for 3. Nunez drew two walks and Camacho scored a run.
Flores picked up the win after she pitched all eight innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and five walks. She was named the Region I, Division II Most Valuable Player after going 3-0, pitching 22 innings, giving up five earned runs with 29 strikeouts.
“The season prepared me for this. As the game went on, we got stronger and we got it together,” Flores said. “Overall, just trusting my defense and trusting my team. Once the ball leaves my hand, there’s nothing I can do about it. It was a great tournament; great last three days.
“Watching the National Tournament last year, watching this team and how great they were, I’m thankful and so honored to be part of this team and getting the opportunity to win. I’m really excited.”
The Aztecs will play in the NJCAA Division II World Series at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL from May 19-24. The selection show will be Tuesday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m. (ET); 12:00 p.m. (Tucson time).
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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