PREP SOFTBALL: DV takes season series from Pride

The Desert Vista High School softball team won’t be in the Class 5A-Division I state playoffs this season.

But the Thunder may take solace in the fact they’re ending a turbulent 2007 campaign playing some of their best softball of the season.

Desert Vista (11-18) entered the week needing three wins in consecutive days against higher-ranked teams in order to have a chance of making the postseason. That quest fell short Wednesday night with a narrow 8-6 home loss to Chandler Basha, a team that likely will go deep into the playoffs.

Even in defeat, the Thunder’s late-season improvement was evident, especially since they lost their previous two games to Basha by the combined score of 20-1.

Desert Vista ended its regular season Thursday at Mesa Mountain View. Results were past the Ahwatukee Foothills News’ deadline.

Prior to the Basha loss, the Thunder had won four of their previous five games.

“Obviously we never like to lose, but the last part of the season has been pretty positive,” senior center fielder and co-captain Emily Pierce said. “The fact the girls can take this into next season is going to help them.”

Desert Vista enjoyed likely its most dramatic win of the season on Tuesday, defeating intracity rival Mountain Pointe, 2-0, at home.

With the victory, the Thunder won the season series between the two rivals as Desert Vista topped the Pride, 3-0, on April 3 before Mountain Pointe won the second game, 2-1, two days later.

Pierce and the team’s only other senior, first baseman and co-captain Brittany Wojtowicz, said taking the season series from Mountain Pointe was particularly satisfying.

“We just came out really hard; we really wanted this game,” Wojtowicz said. “It was really good to get two out of three.

“It’s the end of the season that really counts - that’s what leaves an impact on you.”

Desert Vista pitcher Chelsea Collins scattered four hits in a complete game shutout while striking out four.

The Thunder scored the game’s only two runs in the bottom of the third.

Rachel Allen led off the frame with a single before being moved over on a sacrifice bunt from Bri Van Gosen. Pierce then got a hit before Ashley Levy stepped to the plate two batters later to drill a two-RBI single.

“This was a great team effort all the way around between our pitching, our defense and getting some timely hits from some people,” Desert Vista coach Chris Crowl said. “Our girls really brought their game today, and I knew we were going to need to do that because that’s a good team over there.

“Our girls have been working their tails off, and I’m excited for them and happy for them.”

Pierce said the win meant even more considering Mountain Pointe swept the season series between the two schools a year ago.

“One of our goals at the beginning was to take two out of three from them,” Pierce said. “I was really excited we got to do that because the season didn’t go exactly like we wanted, but this came out like wanted.”

For Mountain Pointe (16-15), the loss was the Pride’s 11th defeat in its last 14 games. Because of a strong start to the season, the team is still likely headed for the playoffs, although that’s not a guarantee.

The Desert Vista game was the Pride’s last of the regular season, and dropped them into 14th place in the power point rankings as of press time. Sixteen teams reach the playoffs.

Mountain Pointe coach Mel Wendell said the Pride would likely know their postseason fate today.

Mountain Pointe was without four regular players for the Desert Vista game due to injuries, including Charlea Hillman (sore arm), Chrystine Bohman (illness), Sienna Martinez (bruised hand) and Danielle Muniz (shoulder).

All except Muniz are expected to return to the lineup should Mountain Pointe qualify for the playoffs, which begin Saturday.

Christopher Drexel can be reached at (480) 898-4906 or cdrexel@aztrib.com.