by 
Superior Sun
The 5th-seeded Superior softball team advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Bisbee in the second-round of the Division IV State Championship last weekend, 5 – 0. The Lady Panthers lost to 4th-seeded Ray in the next round, 7 – 3.
The Lady Panthers finished with a record of 18 – 6, including 10 – 5 in sectional play. The wins are the most in a season over the past seven years.
The Panthers started this memorable season by winning eight-straight games to start. They held the top spot in the Division IV rankings for several weeks during the season.
The quarterfinal game versus Ray was the fourth game played between the teams. The Lady ‘Cats won three of those games. Of the Panthers’ six losses on the season, three came against Ray. But none hurt more than the last one.
Seniors Kiara Romero and Ariel Alonzo are the only two players who won’t return next year. Seniors-to-be Hunter Flanagan and Cierra Navarette will be expected to lead a talented group of freshmen and sophomores on next year’s club.
The experience gained during this season should help the Lady Panthers advance further next year.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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