The tie for first is broken.
 Douglas High School pitcher Erika Tapia threw a complete game six-hit shutout at the Amphi Panthers Friday leading the Lady Bulldogs to a 6-0 win over the team that was the preseason favorite to win the region. With the win Douglas takes over sole possession of first place in the Gila Region. The Lady Bulldogs are at Catalina on Monday. |
Amphi and Douglas had both been tied for first going into the game.
Sophomore pitcher Erika Tapia kept the Lady Panthers off track most of the night throwing a complete game six hit shutout fanning two and walking six in the process.
The fast paced game zipped along with neither team scoring until the bottom of the fourth when Douglas scored all six of its runs off seven hits and an Amphi error.
Nikki Lopez got things started with a lead off double. She promptly scored on Sandra Montano’s triple. Montano would eventually score on Jackie Gonzalez’ single. Lenei Haynes then doubled in Gonzalez. Stephanie Ybarra’s two run triple scored Haynes and Veronica Tartaglia and Tapia’s hit scored Ybarra with the final run of the inning.
The Lady Bulldogs had 11 hits in the game. Ybarra hit 3 for 4; Gonzalez was 2 for 3, Tartaglia 2 for 3, Tapia 1 for 3, Lopez 1 for 3 with a double, Montano 1 for 3 with a triple and Haynes 1 for 3 with a double.
Douglas’ softball coach Abe Grijalva said Amphi had been picked to win the Gila Region; they were ranked eighth in the power rankings going into the game and the win should propel his team up higher in the rankings.
“It was a complete team effort,” he said. “The girls showed up ready to play.”
The coach said every inning that Amphi didn’t score his team gained confidence and eventually broke the game open in the fourth.
“These girls did a tremendous job today,” the coach said. I was very happy with their effort.”
Douglas, 14-7 overall, 4-0 in league play, will be at Catalina on Monday.
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