by 
Copper Basin News
The Ray softball team, the state’s best according to the most recent AIA rankings, won its eighth-straight game last week after defeating 13th-ranked Desert Christian last Tuesday. The Lady Cats last loss was on Mar. 28 versus Rincon University.
Gabbi Montano, Stormee Galka, and Savannah Willis each had two hits versus the Eagles. Galka’s two hits included a double and a triple. Willis, a junior, also hit a triple in the win.
Galka, a junior, allowed only one run on four hits, striking out seven and walking two in the complete-game win, her 13th of the year.
The Lady Cats, who are 10 – 0 in sectional play, will play three-straight ranked teams – all of them in their section – after a game on April 22 versus Gilbert Classical Academy. They’ll play No. 8 Hayden, No. 6 Superior, and No. 4 San Manuel in succession with a chance to clinch the sectional title and an automatic bid, and likely top-seed, in the state tournament.
Upcoming schedule: April 22 vs. Gilbert Classical Academy, April 23 at Hayden, April 24 at Superior, and April 28 vs. San Manuel. All games are scheduled for 4 p.m.
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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