YUMA, AZ - The Cibola Raiders softball team took care of business Saturday as they defeated Rincon/ University, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 6A Conference state playoffs.
Through the first few innings though this one seemed as if the No. 4 Lady Raiders lack of hitting with runners in scoring position would come back to haunt them.
Cibola was able to load the bases in the first inning on a Christina Robles double, a Kamryn Moctezuma walk and a Jannay Jones single, but stranded all three runners. In the second inning a Jasmine Orozco walk and Nicole Villa single put runners on second and third, but a fly out to right field stranded both.
“We talked about it during the game, big situations, we need to step up,” said Cibola head coach Shelly Bauman.
Cibola was able to break through in the third inning when Moctezuma hit an opposite field double; Jones hit a single up the middle to bring up Ela Henry who drove in the game’s first run on a single up the middle.
Henry finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
“I try to see what situation I can get and don’t try to kill it and just get a base hit,” said Henry. “I love being in those situations to drive in runs.”
On the other side of the field, No. 13 Rincon was able to capitalize on the limited opportunities they had. Getting a couple of runners on the corners, Cibola pitcher Jannay Jones induced a double-play ball, trading a run for two outs.
Rincon wouldn’t score again until the sixth inning when a close play at first was ruled safe and an errant throw on a back pick went down the right field line. Julia Vega and Deja Lee each finished with one hit in three at bats, while Melissa Mange was 1-for-2.
Jones pitched a complete game allowing only three hits and two runs one earned. Jones finished 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and three singles. Robles finished 2-for-4 with a double and a single, and Villa was also 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Cibola will host No. 5 Perry on Tuesday at home. Perry advanced after defeating Red Mountain, 6-4. The remaining part of the tournament is a double elimination format.
“We are just taking it one game at a time, and we will see where it takes us,” said Henry.
