Yuma Catholic softball reaches 3A semifinals

Baseball: Yuma Catholic (3A), San Pasqual (1A) both win 1st-round games of tournament

The Yuma Catholic softball team is among the final four.

The No. 2 Shamrocks beat seventh-seeded Snowflake, 5-1, on Friday at the Rose Mofford Complex in Phoenix in the AIA 3A quarterfinals.

Natalie Hernandez led the way for Yuma Catholic (14-1 AIA) with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, a three-run home run and a double in the contest. Faith Sandoval was 2-for-3 and hit a nice diving play in right field. Alyssa Matus pitched three innings and struck out six batters. The Shamrocks will face No. 11 Sabino in the 3A semifinals today at 10:15 a.m. at the Rose Mofford Complex. Should they win, the statechampionship is Tuesday in Tempe at Arizona State’s stadium.

PREP BASEBALL (5) YC 7, (12) Blue Ridge 4

The Shamrocks are back in the 3A quarterfinals for the third consecutive season after knocking off Blue Ridge on Friday in Surprise.

Jack Curtis (2-for-2, RBI), Harrison Long (2-for-2, double, RBI), Aidan Rodriguez (2-for-4, RBI), Eddie Morales (2-for-2) and Ricky Carrazco (2-for-4, RBI) all had multi-hit games for Yuma Catholic (152 AIA).

The Shamrocks will face No. 4 Sahuarita today at 1 p.m. at the Surprise Sports Complex

(7) San Pasqual 8, (10) Ash Fork 0

Frankie Rodriguez dominated Ash Fork on the mound for the Warriors in their 8-0 win to open the 1A State Tournament. Rodriguez nearly got the complete game, but wound up throwing 6 2/3 innings. He struck out 14 batters, while allowing three hits and four walks.

Ralph Dominguez hit an inside-the-park home run in the first plate appearance for San Pasqual (11-6 AIA).

The Warriors scored three runs in the first inning and five in the third. Alex Zavala and Tommy Harrow were both 2-for-3.