Cactus shortstop Alynah Torres connects for first of two HRs in 14-3 win over Apache Junction. (AZPreps365 photo)

Cactus coach Bartt Underwood knew nothing about Apache Junction heading into their battle Thursday in the 4A state softball tournament winner's bracket.

"I was antsy," Underwood said. "I was looking all over MaxPreps trying to find out something about them. Anything can happen, and I wanted to know more."

All Underwood knew was the second-seeded Prospectors had won two games - 1-0 and 3-2 in 13 innings. The pitching without knowing much else, caught his attention.

#3 Cactus (29-4) got a couple breaks from AJ's defense early to score runs and then started crushing the ball ifrom the third inning on to knock off the No. 2 Prospectors, 14-3, in five innings at Rose Mofford Softball Complex.

Cactus won't have to play again until Thursday May 10. It will face the survivor of Tuesday May 8 contest between Mohave and Apache Junction. Mohave or Apache Junction will have to beat Cactus twice to prevent the Cobras from reaching the championship game.

Cactus cranked out 16 hits -- 13 in the last three innings. Eight of them were off AJ ace Mikayla Gilgert, who pitched out of trouble in the first and second innings. But that didn't last.

With AJ making four errors to go with Cactus' offensive prowess, AJ was taken out of the game in the third. 

Cactus junior shortstop Alynah Torres belted two home runs and and drove in three runs. Leadoff hitter Kaytlin Leyvas homered and doubled and then there was No. 8 hitter Carson Gambs, a sight for sore eyes for Underwood. 

Gambs went 4 for 4 (two singles, a double and triple) and knocked in two runs.. 

"She had a big tournament at Desert Mountain (mid-March)," Underwood said. "Not much since. It was good to see her have a good day. I think we did a good job all the way through putting pressure on them at the plate."

Apache Junction coach Ed Matlosz knew about Cactus and its playoff reputation. The Prospectors have won 25 games this year and Gilgert has notched 16 of those.

Matlosz had a notion Gilgert wouldn't be at her best after pitching both those tight wins. She threw more than 200 pitches in the 13-inning win over Casa Grande two days ago.

"Our catcher told met she didn't have much movement on her pitches," Matlosz said. "I'm sure she wasn't as sharp as she can be.  She's a competitor and wanted to stay in there. But I'm the coach and we need her fresh for the next game next week. We need to play better defense that I know we can play. We'll give it our best to fight our way back."