Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Chandler Prep softball tournament: St. Michael Lady Cardinals finish 2-2

March 25, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


The St. Michael Lady Cardinals completed the prestigious Chandler Prep softball tournament with an even 2-2 record.

St. Michael is 10-4 overall as the Lady Cardinals continue its regular season.

Game 1

St. Michael 9, Antelope 3

St. Michael head coach Karen Tom said the game was a good matchup.

"It took a couple of innings for our hitter to adjust," Tom said. "Once they did, they were successful."

St. Michael scored one run in the first inning. The Lady Cardinals added six runs in the second inning. St. Michael tallied one run in the third and fourth innings.

Top hitters for St. Michael were Natalia Goldtooth, Aurianna Quintaina and Gabriella Simpson. Simpson was the winning pitcher.

Game 2

Mogollon 9, St. Michael 5

Fielding errors plagued St. Michael, as the Lady Cardinals dropped a 9-5 decision to Mogollon, 9-5.

"Fielding errors and hits in the outfield gap, cost us the game," Tom said. "After the second inning, we couldn't get any bats going. We fell into a slump until the fifth inning."

St. Michael took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Mogollon took a 6-2 lead in the top half of the fourth inning. The Lady Cardinals tallied three runs in the fifth inning. Mogollon crossed the plate three rimes in sixth inning.

Maya Ross suffered the loss. Paige Gonnie cracked a double in the fourth inning for the Lady Cardinals.

Game 3

Arizona Lutheran 4, St. Michael 0

Arizona Lutheran scored one run apiece in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings to post a 4-0 win.

"Our defense was great, but we just couldn't connect at bat," Tom said. "It was a good pitcher's win. She had great movement and kept jamming up our hitters."

Turner was the winning pitcher. She fanned nine batters. Maya Ross was the losing pitcher. Ross fanned five batters.

Amaya Joe had a single in the second and sixth innings. Jessica Terry ripped a single in the third and fifth innings. Simpson singled in the fourth inning, while Natalia Goldtooth had a single in the second inning.

Game 4

St. Michael 22, Tuba City 0

St. Michael hurler Gabriella Simpson pitched a shutout, fanning seven batters to help the Lady Cardinals to a 22-0 victory over the Tuba City Lady Warriors.

St. Michael scored seven runs in the first inning and added six runs in the second inning. The Lady Cardinals tallied two runs in the third, added three runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth inning.

Simpson ripped a triple in the first inning and belted a home run in the fourth inning. Myra Bitsoi hit a double in the fifth inning. Kalani Wilson cracked a double in the second inning. Nayauna Zah belted a triple in the fourth inning. Aurianna Quintana hit a two-bagger in the third inning. Santana Dalgai hit a home run in the first inning and cracked a double in the second inning.

"I'm thankful for the matchups," Tom said. "They taught us a lot about where we lack and where we're doing a good job. We're excited to continue on with our season and get to the state tournament."