Ray edges Superior for 2nd title in row

Pundits like to say that pitching and defense wins championships. That was the winning formula for No. 1 seed Ray in the 1A softball state title game.

Backed by clutch pitching from sophomore Daniella Hinojos and strong execution at a critical time, Ray was able to edge No. 2 Superior 1-0 for its second straight 1A title at Farrington Stadium in Tempe Monday night.

According to Hinojos, who finished as the winning pitcher, the feeling never gets stale.

“Each state championship is great, and I can’t decide which is better,” she said. “All I know is there is a great weight off our shoulders and it’s liberating.”

While both teams had several chances to break this one open, the deciding run came across in the fifth inning. With runners on first and third and no outs, catcher Tara Lorona hit a grounder to second. Superior second baseman Marlee Estatico threw late and Amee Kenyon crossed the plate for the only run of the game.

“I was surprised this was a low-scoring game,” Ray coach Curt Cook said. “We played Superior many times and know they are a good hitting team. This was a great bunch of kids and just a joy to coach.”

Neither team could gain an early advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ray runners managed to reach second and third with one out. Superior pitcher Alicia Arriola then struck out Haily Mabuce and retired Danni Montano on a pop-up to short.

In the top of the fifth, Superior put runners on in the same situation, second and third with one out. But Hinojos managed to get of the jam. Naomi Hing fouled out to third and Arriola grounded to second to end the threat.

Down 1-0 in the sixth, Superior threatened again. With one out, left fielder Lindsay Ketron drilled a triple to the left-field fence.

Again, Hinojos shut it down. First, she struck out Tori Juarez and retired catcher Marisa Esatico on a ground ball to short.

To complete Ray's title repeat, Hinojis retired the side in order in the seventh. She got Lorona to pop up in foul territory, a ground out to second and one final ground out to third to send her Ray teammates into their celebratory championship dance.