Softball


An elimination game. A tie game. Someone needed to step up. That someone Wednesday afternoon at Sandra Day O\\\' Connor High School was Westview catcher Sianna Gomez. Gomez picked off a Perry High runner at second base to help the Knights escape a sixth-inning jam and then drilled a hit that started a game-winning rally for her team in the seventh as No. 13 Westview nipped No. 8 Perry, 3-2, to stay alive in the 5A-II state softball tournament.

If Michelle Duncan had any lingering problems with her right wrist they were not apparent in her effort on Saturday morning. Duncan, the Gilbert Tigers veteran ace, pitched a three-hit shutout and needed to be sharp as second seed Gilbert edged No. 15 seed Mesquite, 1-0, in the first round of the 5A-I state softball tournament at Gilbert High.

Highland softball coach Jamie Waldron figured after a couple weeks of the season if the Hawks were to make some noise this season it would have to be with hitting and defense. That was the formula Thursday night as the Hawks used timely hitting, plate discipline and defense to upend Dobson, 11-7, in a 5A Central Region game at Highland High.