Richard Smith
West Valley Preps

Cactus softball seniors Ursula Del Campo, Brynlee Gibbs and Jade Osterhoudt entered last week saying they were thankful for a challenge, even if it resulted in a loss.

The Cobras experienced its first loss in nearly a month, and it was a surprise. Cactus responded to that adversity by sweeping rival Sunrise Mountain to take command of the West Valley Region and jump from No. 5 to No. 2 in the 4A rankings.

No. 9 (4A) Greenway ended the Cobras winning streak April 11 with a 13-12 upset. But No. 5 Cactus responded with a 6-2 win April 13 against then-No. 1 Sunrise Mountain.

The Cobras and Mustangs met again Tuesday afternoon at Sunrise Mountain. This time Cactus used a powerful offense to overcome five errors in a 9-6 win.

Trailing 3-0 entering the sixth inning, the visitors exploded for eight runs. Coach Bartt Underwood said a two-run homer by freshman catcher Kaytlin Leyvas and a bases-clearing doubly by fellow frosh Carson Gambs were the highlights of the rally.

Before its challenging week, Cactus spent the better part of a month laying waste to overmatched opponents. From March 13 through April 7 the team outscored 10 regular season foes by a total of 166-7.

As the seniors were quick to mention, they preferred this tough stretch and the competition in the preseason Sunrise Mountain Invitational and the early season Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City.

“Our team is more bonded than we were at the beginning of the season. We have a big hitting team,” Del Campo said.

The seniors took it upon themselves and bring freshmen Aubrey Chavez, Cassandra Elliott, Kaytlin Leyvas and Kaiulani Nowell into the culture Cactus has built.

Osterhoudt said many girls coming up from eighth grade are more club based, which is more individual. School ball is more team oriented.

“It’s more of a sisterhood in high school ball than it is in club ball. In club ball you play games every weekend. It doesn’t really matter as much. I would feel so much pride bringing home a state championship to my school because that is something that will live forever. I think that’s the biggest transition you have to make. Winning means everything in school ball,” Gibbs said.

Coach Underwood said this year’s team had a few bumps and bruises along the way, but overall its been a great transition for our new players.

Last year’s senior group featured four girls who were four-year contributors. The coach said it is different for these seniors because only del Campo and Osterhoudt have been here since their freshman year.

“As far as their leadership role goes, coaches usually depend on the older players to bring along the new ones in terms of how we do things at Cactus and they have set a good example,” Coach Underwood said.



Del Campo said so many things have changed in the four years since she was a freshman power hitter fitting into an experienced team.

Gibbs spent the first two years of high school at Arizona Lutheran Academy. But she said she remembers watching Cactus in eighth grade and couldn’t wait to play for the Cobras.

“I think there’s a lot more pressure (as a senior). When You’re a freshman you see the older girls and you never realize you’re going to get to that point. Four years went by so fast. When I was a freshman Morgan Renyer was the pitcher and she was amazing. Now I have other girls looking up to me and I have to step up.” Osterhoudt said.

She said a major reason the 2016 team reached the Division II title game was its team chemistry and trust. The seniors have taken it upon themselves to bring this group together.

They also get some help from two underclassmen who are team captains as well as softball stars — junior Emile Guerra and sophomore Alynah Torres.

Torres is a front runner for state player of the year, batting .624 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI. Guerra is the Cobras ace, with a 18-3 record and 2.80 ERA, and also a primary run producer with a .43442 average, five homers and 29 RBI.

But the seniors are the voice of the team, Underwood said, and can get vocal when they need to.

“They are all similar in that they go about their business every day, give you steady play and also understand their importance of setting a good example for their teammates. They have sort of a quiet demeanor around their coaches, but I've been told around their teammates they are not as quiet as they seem,” he said.

All three bring unique skills to the table.

Del Campo remains a hammer in the middle and leads the team with 13 home runs. She makes teams pay for avoiding Torres with 46 RBI and actually tops her more celebrated teammate in slugging percentage (1.190).

Osterhoudt adds speed to the mix, particularly with her outfield defense and team-high 11 stolen bases. Gibbs also patrols the outfield with range and has grown as a contact hitter, batting .487 after hitting .329 a year ago.

“Ursula is hitting behind Alynah (who isn't getting a lot of quality pitches to swing at and Urs has done a great job knocking runs in as well as hitting the long ball. Jade is our best defensive outfielder and sets a tone for our play. She is a smart base runner who leads our team in stolen bases and been pretty productive in the seventh spot on offense. Brynlee is having a very good year at the plate (hitting above .500) this year because I believe she feels more relaxed in her second year,” Underwood said.