The Mingus Union High School softball team lost in its season finale Tuesday, May 3, as top-ranked Shadow Mountain High School steamrolled the Marauders, 14-3.
Shadow Mountain was a perfect 17-0 coming into Tuesday’s affair.
“They’re 17-0 for a reason,” Mingus Head Coach Heather Wacker said. “We stuck with them for a while but came apart in the end.”
After four innings of play, Mingus trailed 5-3 thanks to a big two-run home run by sophomore catcher Cassie Norman in the bottom half of the fourth.
Sophomore starting pitcher Angelina Saucedo didn’t get out of the third inning for the Marauders, pitching only 2? innings while allowing six runs.
Wacker had to throw freshman Ari Jaraczewski to the wolves Tuesday; Jaraczewski allowed eight more runs to cross the plate in the loss.
“She’s just not ready for that level of ball yet,” Wacker said.
With the loss, Mingus wraps up its regular season with a 13-14 [4-4, 4A-II Grand Canyon] overall record.
Although the Arizona Interscholastic Association power point scheme isn’t an exact science, the Marauders should sit at No. 10 when it’s all said and done.
If Mingus, which was 11-6 in AIA power point games this season, is the No. 10 seed heading into the 4A-II conference state playoffs, they would face No. 7 Douglas High School in round one.
The first round of the state playoffs is scheduled for Friday, May 6. The Marauders will have to travel to Douglas [15-3] since first- and second-round games are hosted by the higher seed. The second round is set for Tuesday, May 10.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
State semifinal action begins Thursday, May 12, at Rose Mofford Softball Complex in Phoenix, where the rest of the state tournament will remain. The title game will be Saturday, May 14.
If the Marauders are lucky and good enough to get past Douglas this Friday, Mingus will more than likely have to travel to No. 2 Notre Dame Preparatory Academy on Tuesday.
First pitch would be at 4 p.m.
Notre Dame is currently 17-1 overall this season and should have no problem with possible No. 15 seed Shadow Ridge High School on Friday.
