It’s been more than 15 years since Carl Hayden’s softball program finished with a winning record.

As far as being in contention for a region title, who knows when that last happened. But with less than two weeks remaining in its regular season, Carl Hayden was in position Tuesday to take over sole possession of first place in the Union Region.

It had runners in scoring position, trailing by one run in the bottom of the eighth. Betty Fairfax, however, wasn't quite ready to relinquish its regional power. Dezeray Levario struck out the final Carl Hayden batter in the 2-1 road win, helping Fairfax regain control of a region it has won the past three seasons.

Besides Carl Hayden’s surprising turnaround, the other big story in the Union Region this season is likely the immediate impact Levario, a freshman, has had on her team. The strong right-handed pitcher improved to 12-1 and is also Fairfax’s second leading hitter.

Levario was at it again with her arm and bat, hitting three doubles in four at bats, scoring her team’s two runs and tossing a complete game, five-hitter against Carl Hayden.

“(Levario) is amazing,” Fairfax coach Rachel Gonzalez said. “I love her. She is so mature and respectful.”

Levario wasn’t available to talk after the game.

She left immediately with her father after learning that a school aged relative was missing but was later found at a friend’s house. Levario wasn’t the only pitcher who stood out, though.

Carl Hayden’s only club player, senior Adriana Martinez, also was superb in the circle, striking out 11, including the final four batters in each of the first four innings to get out of jams.

(Adriana Martinez)

“We are a different team this year,” Martinez said. “We’re more of a family and don’t want to fail our coach.”

Francisco Villa, a softball pitching coach, is in his first season at Carl Hayden after spending some time at Westview and Valley Vista High Schools.

“I am trying to make them believe that they are better than they actually are,” Villa said.

With a 14-6-2 record, it seems to be working.

Carl Hayden led 1-0 heading into the sixth inning, when Levario, a cleanup hitter, led off with a double and eventually scored after sliding under the tag attempt of the catcher. Levario scored again, this time from second base, in the eighth inning after a Jayden Bosch bunt got to the outfield.

Carl Hayden dropped to 5-2 in region while Fairfax improved to 18-3-1 overall, 6-1 in region.

“You battled today,” Villa told his team after the game. “I’m impressed.”