#3 Queen Creek softball extends winning streak to 14

May 4, 2021 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Queen Creek second baseman Jade Berry makes the turn on a 2nd-inning double play in Bulldogs' win over Mountain View. (Azpreps365 photo)

Another day, another victory for Queen Creek softball. The Bulldogs won their 14th game in a row Tuesday taking advantage of Mountain View miscues early and gradually strolling to an 11- 1 triumph at Mountain View.

#3 Queen Creek (15-2) scored four unearned runs while batting around in the second inning. Only one ball was hit out of the infield during that at-bat. #12 Mountain View (13-5) committed three errors in the inning and five for the day.

"I didn't think we played that well today," Queen Creek coach Keith Householder said. "We weren't great yesterday either against Basha. We didn't do a lot of the little things today that can make a difference in a closer game. We won both games so you move on and focus on doing little things better."

Don't get Householder wrong. The Bulldogs are no slouch. They lost two of their first three games to region opponents and avenged those defeats. They also won the Central Region title via tie-breaker with Desert Vista. They're doing an awful lot right with every win in the streak by two runs or more. 

Mountain View was somewhat hamstrung with its pitching for the game. Ace - Hina Huber - got the start after throwing 11 1/3 innings the day before in a 3-2 loss to Desert Vista. Mountain View was hoping to get two innings from Huber. They got one. A scoreless first that Huber labored in. She , walked one, hit two and fanned the side. She didn't return.

No. 2 pitcher Miah Ibarra, who was warming up in the bullpen while Huber threw, took over and tossed the final six innings. Mountain View committed three errors in the second inning on grounders and a bunt in the infield. Add a walk and a two-run single by Alexis Dellamonica and it was a gift advantage for Queen Creek.

Mountain View scored its only run in its half of the second on a solo home run by Devin Bowman. The homer was off Queen Creek's Paige Salazar, who scattered eight hits, walked one and struck out four in going the distance.

Queen Creek cranked out 13 hits and added on to its lead with runs in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh. The Bulldofs got  two hits apiece from Reese Lee, Dellamonica, Jade Berry, Maddie Padilla and Bri Brooks. Lee, Dellamonica and Brooks also delivered two RBI. Lee's RBI were on a home run to center field in the seventh inning. Mountain View had three players with two-hit games - Rachel Campos, Maddy Bleak and Mandi Bluth.

Queen Creek finishes its regular season Wednesday, playing its third game in as many days. The Bulldogs host Perry. Mountain View is finished with its schedule and waits until Thursday around noon when the final power rankings and state tournament pairings are announced.