Salpointe solidified top ranking with win over CDO at home

April 22, 2022 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Gianna Mares. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)

Salpointe beat Canyon del Oro 7-1 Thursday night at home to remain perfect in the 4A Conference. The Lancers went undefeated at 8-0 to capture the 4A Kino Region title and the automatic playoff berth that comes with it but the program had a playoff spot secured weeks ago.

Salpointe is now 17-0 in power-ranking games with the highest Average Opponent Rating at 6.5540 prior to the game with the Dorados which means the Lancers are unbeaten against the most difficult schedule in the 4A Conference. Likewise, Canyon del Oro (15-2) is ranked No. 3 in the conference and the loss to Salpointe will help solidify a high ranking with the first round of the playoffs slated for Saturday, April 30.

Junior Gianna Mares (12-0) took the circle for the Lancers and she picked up 11 strikeouts to improve to 126 on the year. Mares also hit home run number 13 on the year in the second inning to put the Lancers up 2-0 on Canyon del Oro. Yannixa Acuña and Krista Martinez also hit home runs. Monique Bustamante and Jordan Johnson had doubles for Salpointe.

Mari Asher hit a home run the top of the fifth inning to put the Dorados on the scoreboard. Freshman pitcher Amelia Streuber and senior Julia Holt took the circle for the Dorados.

Salpointe will end the regular season at home against Nogales (0-17) Friday night and Canyon del Oro will host Pueblo (10-6) on the same night. The 4A Play-In Tournament is slated for Wednesday, April 27 for teams ranked No. 9 to 24.

Amelia Streuber. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)