The baseball and softball postseason gets going this afternoon with play-in games across the state. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., and it’s simple from here on out. Win and move on. Lose and you’re done.
The spotlight locally falls on Pima, Thatcher, Morenci and Safford, all trying to survive the opening round.
On the softball diamond Pima hosts Arizona Lutheran in a matchup that leans toward offense. The Roughriders are hitting .437 as a team with 362 runs scored. Josie McEuen leads the way at .612, while Liliana Apodaca is hitting .539 and anchors the pitching staff with 15 wins. Arizona Lutheran can swing it, too, hitting .364 behind Jenna Danzeisen at .508 and Delaney Humbert at .446, but has struggled to limit runs. Arizona Lutheran won the only previous meeting, 12-6 in 2023, giving Pima a chance to even the score while riding the hotter lineup.
Safford travels to Tonopah Valley in a game that could turn into a scoreboard workout. Tonopah Valley is hitting .423 with 286 runs scored, led by Morgan Green at .605 and Ellie Procunier at .577. Safford counters with a balanced attack, including Aleena Romero at .412 and Kai-Lee Cordova at .400, who also carries the load in the circle. It’s the first meeting between the programs, so there’s no history to lean on, just two offenses capable of putting up big innings.
Thatcher hosts Pusch Ridge in one of the more evenly matched games on the board. Thatcher is hitting .422, led by Shaylee Hughes at .582 and Kacee McCluskey at .556, with Marlee Farris adding power. Pusch Ridge counters with Josie Burnside at .514 with 38 RBI and Milan Daniels at .487. Burnside also leads the pitching staff with 76 strikeouts. The series is tied 3-3, and they split this season. Thatcher won the most recent meeting 11-7 on April 14 after Pusch Ridge took the first game 3-1 in March. This one has a true rubber match feel.
Morenci hosts ALA Anthem South with one of the most complete profiles in the bracket. The Wildcats are hitting .456 with 320 runs scored. Tiara Jones leads the way at .553 with 49 RBI and 11 home runs, while also anchoring the pitching staff with a 3.39 ERA. ALA Anthem South hits .351, led by Presley Barton at .443 and Kinley Dean at .444, but has struggled defensively. This is the first meeting between the two programs.
On the baseball side, Willcox hosts Kingman Academy in a matchup that features offense and a little history. Willcox is hitting .345 with 215 runs scored and backs it with a 3.15 ERA and more than 200 strikeouts. Ty Shull leads the way at .529 with 29 RBI and a 1.65 ERA, while Jahir Reyes adds a 1.67 ERA. Kingman Academy is hitting .350, led by Rilee Otto at .548 and Pax McFadyen at .479. McFadyen has also struck out 68 hitters on the mound. The series is split with Kingman Academy’s win came in 2014 with Detroit Tigers ace, Tarik Skubal on the mound. Willcox picked up their win in 2018, 5-3.
Thatcher hosts Chino Valley in a matchup that looks even on paper. Both teams are hitting .308. Chino Valley is led by Ryan Lamotte at .391 and Destry Owings at .409, while Thatcher gets production from Hudson Lopeman at .321 and Jagen Hall at .333. Lopeman also leads Thatcher on the mound with a 1.97 ERA, while Chino Valley comes in with a 3.37 team ERA. This is the first meeting between the programs.
Pima hosts Tombstone in a game with the deepest history of the group. Tombstone leads the all-time series 13-9 and has won the last three meetings, including both games in 2024. Pima is hitting .331, led by Ramon Hernandez at .490 and Efrain Hernandez at .379, and pairs it with a 3.10 ERA. Tombstone hits .309 behind Kelly Bliss at .474 and Andrew Nugen-Dorcy at .446, but carries a higher team ERA.
First pitch is at 4 p.m. for every game.
After that, it’s all survival.
