Over the first four games of the season, the Mingus softball team had been dominant, posting a 4-0 record with no game being decided by fewer than five runs and all but one victory being by 10 runs or more. Coming out of those four games, the Marauders knew that a tough challenge awaited them, with games against Flagstaff on Tuesday, March 30, and Thursday, April 1.
The Eagles were undefeated entering the week. But while Flagstaff presented Mingus with its toughest games of the season, the Marauders exited the week the same way they entered it — with a perfect record.
Tuesday’s game was in Flagstaff and it was a pitcher’s duel. Mingus junior Alexis Ayersman held up her end of the bargain, going the full seven innings while allowing only four hits, one walk and no runs while striking out 12 Eagles hitters.
Ayersman was also pivotal at the plate, delivering a pair of hits including a double — the only extra-base hit that either team would record on the day. Fellow junior McKell Gordon also recorded a pair of hits and recorded two RBI on the game. In total, Mingus notched only seven hits and recorded a pair of walks [both of which were drawn by junior second baseman Ella Behlow]. But that was enough to help the Marauders to a 3-0 win on the road.
The rematch two days later differed in that it was more of a back-and-forth affair. But in the end, it had the same result.
Flagstaff scored in the first inning to take an early lead. Mingus tied the game in the bottom of the third but the Eagles went right back up in the top half of the fourth. The Marauders then scored two in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead only to see Flagstaff tie things up in the top of the sixth. Mingus went ahead for good in the home half of the sixth, though, scoring three runs to take a 6-3 lead. That stood as the final and the Marauders completed the sweep.
Ayersman toed the rubber again for Mingus. She wasn’t quite as dominant on the mound, allowing three hits — including a home run — two walks and three runs while striking out seven. At the plate, though, she was a force, notching a home run of her own, four hits overall and three RBI in the win. Behlow delivered a pair of hits of her own, including a double.
Junior outfielder Mackenzie Figy scored two runs and added both a hit and an RBI. Sophomore catcher Sydnee Stapleton had a hit and RBI of her own.
The wins over the Eagles moved the Marauders to 7-0 overall with a 6-0 record in both the 4A Conference and the 4A Grand Canyon Section.
Mingus is not the only unbeaten team in the Region. Prescott is also 6-0 overall but has played only three Region games. The Marauders and Badgers will not play each other until the final two games of the regular season. Prescott will be home for a 4 p.m. game on Tuesday, May 3. Mingus will then host the season finale at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.
The Marauders hosted Shadow Mountain from the 4A Skyline Region in a Freedom Game on Monday, April 5 in another battle of the unbeatens. As was the case when Mingus played Flagstaff, the Marauders stayed undefeated. Their opponents did not. Mingus defeated the Matadors 12-1. The following day, the Marauders returned to 4A Grand Canyon Region play and defeated Coconino 9-2.
Coconino will host the rematch at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 8.
