In light of a loss in Round 3, Xavier Softball knew that a win last night would not send them to the Championship game, but it was a requirement. Requirement fulfilled: 6-2. 

Last night, Mesa High School hosted Semifinal Game #I as the #4 Xavier Gators took on the #3 Pinnacle Pioneers. Part 2 is tonight. 

Pitcher Sydney Root had Pinnacle in lockdown mode consistently throughout the game. When Pinnacle would rise up and show signs of life, she fought back and locked them down again. She threw ten strikeouts for the game.

Top of 1st Inning
In the top of the first inning, Xavier's offensive output made Pinnacle pay big-time for their defensive errors. Pioneer errors did not put Gators on base, they enabled runners who were already on base to score.

If Pinnacle's first baseman didn't know how fast Sariah McNabb is, she does now. McNabb hit a grounder that required the first baseman to move to her right, away from the base, in order to collect the ball. Then, she attempted to move back to her left and tag the base before McNabb got there. Not happening.

Next, Joie Ramos walked, putting runners on first and second.

Next batter, Sydney Root knocked a single to shallow left field. By the time the left fielder gathered the ball and began her throw, Sariah and Joie (also very speedy) had already advanced one base. Bases loaded, right? No. The left fielder, trying to prevent a potential run, enabled a run to score as she launched a missile over her catcher's head. Xavier 1-0, no outs, and runners on second and third.

Watch this entire sequence of events unfold

Two outs later, runners still on second and third, Angie Falls readies herself at the plate. A ground ball to shortstop and another missile launch -- this time over the first baseman's head -- scores two more runs and Xavier leads 3-0 in the top of the first inning. Check it out.

VIDEO: Two More Runs in the Top of the First

Bottom of 1st Inning
Pinnacle quickly tries to answer Xavier's three first-inning runs. Two singles put Pioneer runners at second and third with one out.

How does Xavier Respond? Root strikes out next batter #1, and second baseman Sophia Jaramillo throws out next batter #2 at first base. 

Top of 6th Inning
Scoring goes silent until Xavier's half of the sixth inning. Angie Falls leads off the inning by beating out an infield ground ball to the shortstop.

The next batter, Sophia Jaramillo, stands at the plate with a 3 and 0 count and Sofia Pacheo (running for Falls) now on second.

Jaramillo crushes a deep fly ball to right center, a one-hopper to the fence, for a double that scores Pacheco. Xavier 4-0.

A ground-ball out puts Jaramillo on third,  one out, and Mckenna Hackett coming to the plate. Hackett hits a two-hopper to the shortstop, who sees Jaramillo heading home from third but chooses to throw to first. Xavier 5-0.

Confession: Rookie Mistake - I neglected to zoom out during Angie's run to the first base bag. 

 

Top of 7th Inning - Sealing the Deal
VIDEO: Makenzie Latvaaho Homerun Xavier 6-2