Softball: Campo Verde stays unbeaten in MDN-McClintock Invite

March 9, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


There was mutual gift-giving Monday afternoon while Campo Verde and Skyline clashed in the annual Marcos de Niza-McClintock Softball Tournament.

Errors and a wild pitch helped both teams to the game's three runs through 5 1/2 innings. A couple more miscues in the last of the sixth helped Campo Verde put together a five-run rally, but four hits in the frame were more handy in scoring a 6-2 victory over Skyline in pool play at McClintock High.

Campo Verde (10-3 overall) ran its record in the tourney to 4-0 in pool play with one more game Tuesday afternoon. Campo Verde completed a 2-0 day Monday by downing Combs, 21-0, after topping Skyline. Skyline committed six errors -- three in the fateful last of the sixth -- although only one of those errors figured in aiding the rally. Campo Verde collected four hits in the inning. The most damaging was the game's lone extra-base hit -- a three-run double by Tori Sims to the gap in right-center field. Lauryn Henderson, Tori Eccleston and Alicia Leighty contributed the other hits. Sims finished with two hits and four RBI.

"Other than one game in the Red Mountain tournament we've hit the heck out of the ball," Campo Verde coach Joe Delsante said. "We've gotten good RBi production up and down the lineup. At times we've left too many runners on base, but we've been solid at the plate. Our pitching has been very good from a freshman and sophomore."

It was the freshman's turn Monday in the win over Skyline (5-8). Myka Sutherlin gave up two runs (on earned)  in the first three innings and shut down Skyline the rest of the way. Sutherlin allowed three hits, no walks and struck out nine. Seven of those nine came in the final four innings.

Campo Verde can nail down a berth in Wednesday's championship game if it defeats Casa Grande at noon on Tuesday at McClintock. A three-way tie for the pool's top spot is possbile among Campo Verde, Poston Butte and Casa Grande. If that happens a head-to-head tie-breaker won't decide who gets the berth (they were 1-1 vs. each other). It would then come down to fewest runs allowed in pool play.

Maggi Mercer had two of Skyline's three hits, scored a run and drove in the other. Kaitlyn O'Day took the loss for Skyline, pitching around the errors to keep her team on top most of the way. She fanned five and didn't walk a batter.

In pool play ar Marcos de Niza, Mesquite and Perry remained undefeated collecting two wins apiece. Mesquite topped  Westview (9-4) and Marcos de Niza (10-0). Perry recorded wins over Williams Field (9-0) and Dobson (9-3). Mesquite and Perry play Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Marcos de Niza for a berth in Wednesday's title game.