Camp Verde’s senior class looks to end their softball careers where it began: At the 2A softball championship.
After losing 5-0 in the 2016 2A state championship, the Cowboys class of 2019 has one last opportunity
to return to the finals.
“I would say the biggest contributing factor to our success was the entire team buying into the process,” Camp Verde coach Henry Smith said. “We spent the week emphasizing game situations that we have struggled in and the girls played very well last week.”
Heading into the second weekend of the 2A playoffs, the Cowboys are only one win away from returning to the state championship.
“We have a group of players that have just worked their butts off every practice since the season started,” Smith said. “They are all committed to winning a state championship and doing whatever it takes to accomplish that goal.”
“Their hard work showed over the last two games,” he added.
On Friday, May 3, the Cowboys dismantled Heritage Academy 14-0 to improve to 21-7.
“The neat thing about our lineup is that we are pretty stacked from the top of our lineup on down,” Smith said. “Tyra Smith, Rachel Sockseth and Jenny Huey each played well, along with multiple other girls in our lineup.”
All eight of Camp Verde’s position players are currently batting at least .400 this season.
Camp Verde kept its momentum going on Saturday, May 4, as the Cowboys defeated Globe 10-0.
“Miranda Sharp has really come through for us and she was a big part in our last two victories,” Smith said. “We recognized early in the year that we would need Miranda to step up and contribute more and she has answered the call for us.”
With the win, Camp Verde improved to 22-7. “I think these two victories
to open the playoffs show that we are ready to go,” Smith said. “Our goal before the season started was to return to state and finish the job so the players are definitely up to the task.”
Camp Verde’s win over Globe also marked its fifth shutout this season.
“Our game plan to open the playoffs was to stay disciplined, recognize situations,
be comfortable and to have a good time,” Smith said. “It sounds like a very generic plan but those are the things we emphasize at the end of the day.”
While the remainder of Camp Verde’s season is single-elimination, Smith makes sure the Cowboys still enjoy themselves.
“Softball is supposed to be fun so we focus on letting the kids play free,” Smith said. “We want them playing freely and doing what their bodies allow them to do and we will go with the momentum.”
This season, the Cowboys have outscored its opponents 320 to 108.
Defensively, Cowboys pitcher Jacy Finley has served as Camp Verde’s workhorse in the postseason.
Finley is currently 11-1 with a 3.09 earned run average in 17 appearances.
“We never have to question Jacy’s abilities as she has always come through when we needed her,” Finley said. “We can rely on Jacy in big games and in big moments that her work ethic and consistent efforts can sometimes get taken for granted.”
Finley’s 11 wins and 140 strikeouts both lead the 2A Central.
“Jacy is a gamer, I have not seen too many kids that understands situations and opponent’s tendencies the way she does,” Smith said. “Jacy is a huge student of the game and has the innate ability to remember batters she has faced and key in on their weaknesses.”
“Jacy will always be a primary factor in our success we would not be as competitive without her,” Davis said.
Camp Verde returns to the field on Friday, May 10, when the Cowboys face off against Trivium Prep.
The Crimson Knights are 23-4 and have won their last 14 games.
Trivium Prep has outscored its opponents 276 to 68 this season.
The 2A playoffs began on Friday, May 3, and are being held at Mofford Complex.
