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The Panthers’ infielders meet on the mound before the inning starts.
Andrew Luberda | Sun
Superior’s Phalicitee Thomas fouls off a pitch during Friday’s game.
Andrew Luberda | Sun
Superior pitcher Ivie Lopez was outstanding against the top-ranked Bearcats last Friday. Andrew Luberda | Sun
Superior Sun
One week after defeating two-time state champion and fourth-ranked San Manuel, junior pitcher Ivie Lopez and her Superior teammates knocked off the top-ranked Ray last Friday, 6 – 2. The loss was the Lady Cats’ first in sectional play and ended their ten-game winning streak. The win was the sixth-ranked Lady Panthers’ fourth-straight.
“Absolutely,” Panthers’ head coach Martin Navarrette answered when asked if his team is peaking at the right time. “It’s the best time to be peaking – going into the playoffs – and I expect big things going in.”
Lopez held a Lady Cats’ team, which entered the game hitting .421 as a team and averaging almost 10 runs per game, to only one earned run on just six hits. She struck out 10 while allowing one walk. She was dominant.
“Ivie pitched excellent,” Navarrette said. “She hit her spots, pitched inside, and took the bat out of their hands.”
Ray starting pitcher Stormee Galka we equally effective against a potent Superior lineup, holding them to only two runs during the during the game’s first five innings. Galka helped herself on the mound, turning a couple of double-plays to get out of jams.
Lady Panthers’ junior Gabby Salcido went deep in the sixth, giving the Lady Panthers’ a 3 – 1 lead before the flood gates opened with three Ray errors leading to three more Superior runs to make the score 6 – 1 heading into the final inning.
Hunter Flanagan, who along with Cierra Navarrette, was playing in her final home game on Senior Day. She went out in style, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Navarrette went 1-for-4.
“They’ve been starters for four years,” Coach Navarrette said about his two seniors, one of them his daughter. “They’re team leaders and mentors in practice to the other girls. They’re competitors.”
Both players spoke briefly after the game about their varsity experience.
“It’s awesome, especially with the teams we’ve had during my four years,” Navarrette said. “It’s said to be leaving, but I’m glad won our last game on Senior Day.”
Said Flanagan, “This is probably our best team since we’ve been here. I’m really comfortable leaving these girls because they’re such a great team and I’ve had so much fun.”
Last Friday’s win puts the Lady Panthers’ right in the middle of the state title conversation. They have to be considered one of only a handful of teams – including San Manuel and Ray – that are legitimate contenders for the state championship.
After watching his team benefit from some shoddy defense by the Lady Cats, Coach Navarrette knows his own team’s defense is the key to winning the title.
“If we eliminate the errors I don’t think there is any team that can beat us,” he said. “If keeping hitting the ball and pitching the way we are (then) we’re going to be tough to beat.”
Five of the nine teams in Section VI are ranked in the top 15, according to the AIA rankings. So the Lady Panthers are battle tested after having played in the toughest section with one of the most difficult schedules in the state, regardless of division.
Can they parlay their regular season success into a state championship?
Only time will tell but it sure looks like they’re playing at that level, especially recently.
Check the AIA website (www.azpreps365.com) for playoff matchups, times, and locations, which will be released later this week.
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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