Benson wins first state crown since 2011

Create a game plan and execute. That was the strategy for Benson pitcher Katie Sherman, and her execution was nearly flawless.

Pitching out of jams and keeping opposing hitters off balance, Sherman proceeded to implement her plan, and the result was Benson’s 5-1 victory of Phoenix Bourgade Catholic for the state 2A softball title at Farrington Stadium in Tempe Monday night.

The championship was Benson’s first state crown since 2011, and the initial one for Yogi Wilson as head coach.

Sherman relied as much on a cerebral approach as physical execution. In the end, the sophomore allowed only four hits and no more than one in any individual inning.

“The plan was to go with my changeup,” Sherman said. “Actually, it turned out to be a killer change, and I stayed with it.”

Sherman was so effective that Bourgade Catholic could only manage multiple runners in three innings. In a fitting end to seal its state crown, the Benson defense ended its title run with a dramatic double play.

Ahead by four in the seventh, Bourgade Catholic had runners on second and third and one out. Opposing pitcher Malloy McDowell grounded to third and that’s when Hope Adams fired across the diamond for an out. First baseman Cori Jackson then nailed Daisy Hernandez trying to score and the twin killing sent Benson into its victory dance.

“What makes this special is we have such a young team,” Wilson said. “We have only three seniors, so the core of this team will back.”