AVONDALE – The Mt. Graham Little League Minors softball team has already made this a summer to remember.
Now the girls have a chance to make it historic.
MGLL entered the Arizona State Tournament after going 4-0 to win the District 8 Tournament. Since arriving in Avondale, the 8-to-10-year-old team has continued its run, winning its first three games at state to advance to tonight’s semifinals.
Mt. Graham will face Continental Ranch from Tucson at 5:30 p.m. at Friendship Park in Avondale. The winner advances to the state championship game.
No team from Mt. Graham Little League has ever won a state championship at any level.
For the Minors softball division, the state tournament is the highest level available. There is no regional tournament or World Series for this age group, so a state title is the top prize.
MGLL opened state tournament play Monday with an 18-1 win over Arcadia. Mount Graham scored one run in the first inning and two in the second, then broke the game open with seven runs in the fourth and eight more in the sixth.
The team finished with 11 hits and played clean defense, committing no errors. Eliana Chacon led the offense with three hits, while Ava Hornelaz added two hits and two RBIs. Jordan Taylor tripled, Oaklee Smith and Liliana Luzania each doubled, and Markianah Gonzales drove in three runs.
Luzania was sharp in the circle, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out 10.
Mt. Graham followed that with a 12-2 win over Camp Verde Little League on Tuesday.
The game was tied 2-2 after the first inning, but MGLL took control from there. Mt.Graham scored two runs in the third, six in the fourth and two more in the fifth to close out the win.
Taylor had a big day at the plate, collecting three hits and driving in four runs. Luzania went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Smith also homered and drove in three. Camille Bendall added two hits, including a double, and Chacon finished with two hits.
Luzania again handled the pitching, allowing just one hit and striking out 14 in five innings.
Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Queen Creek Little League brought the closest test of the state tournament so far.
Queen Creek led 3-2 after two innings, and the game was tied 4-4 after four. Then MGLL put together the kind of inning that keeps a postseason run alive. Mount Graham scored eight runs in the fifth and pulled away for a 12-5 win.
Chacon went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Luzania hit another home run and drove in three runs. Bendall, Taylor, Nova Jacquez, Camille Pryor, Madelyn Connell and Kallie Larson also added hits.
Luzania pitched all six innings, allowing four hits and striking out 12.
Through three games at state, MGLL has outscored Arcadia, Camp Verde and Queen Creek 42-8. The team has scored at least 12 runs in every state tournament game while getting steady production throughout the lineup.
The roster includes Liliana Luzania, Ava Hornelaz, Layla Ornelas, Camille Bendall, Jordan Taylor, Nova Jacquez, Oaklee Smith, Eliana Chacon, Markianah Gonzales, Camille Pryor, Maci McCall, Sophia Arrellin, Madelyn Connell and Kallie Larson.
The team is managed by Raymond Luzania, with Sarah Taylor and Johnny Connell serving as coaches.
MGLL has already won a district championship, reached the final four in Arizona and put together a postseason run that has caught plenty of attention back home.
Now comes the next step.
Mount Graham plays Continental Ranch tonight with a spot in the state championship game on the line.
