One game certainly doesn’t define a team’s entire season.

The 4-3 loss for Paradise Honors against the defending state champions from Sahuarita High School Saturday at Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix ended their run at the state title, but their accomplishments as a team cannot go unnoticed.

Head coach Paul Hatcher helped lead the Panthers to the first ever region championship after moving up from 2A to the 3A Metro West, proving this team with seven sophomores and two freshmen has what it takes to be successful down the road.

“I love this team and to be so young and capture our first region title, tells me we are going to be a thorn in other teams’ side here for years to come,” Mr. Hatcher said. “These kids are better people then they are players and they are amazing players so that really says a lot.”

Paradise Honors had Krista Francia in the circle and although she’s only a freshman, her talent allows her to perform like a seasoned veteran on the team, Hatcher said.

“She competes like crazy and will be one of the very good players in the state for years to come,” he said.

The Panthers grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the second on a single to left field by Francia, followed by another single from sophomore Josephine Horgan who reached on a throwing error by Sahuarita’s third baseman.

With one out recorded, sophomore Cassidy Martyn went to the plate and on the first pitch cranked a home run deep to center field, bringing in three runs. Her hit looked effortlessly, and Martyn said the ball and bat connected on the perfect spot.

“It’s that feeling you get as soon as the ball hits the bat and you just know it’s gone,” she said. “It’s kind of brought us rallying together and behind her (Francia).”

Hatcher said it was a great hit and at-bat for Martyn who has been doing it all year. In the perfect world, he said, it would have been nice to build off it a little more but it’s all on Sahuarita and their ability to make plays.

“They don’t mess up and that’s why they are the state champs,” Hatcher said. “We felt really good with a lead, but they are relentless, and you just wait for them to explode and that’s what they did.”

Two singles in the top of the fourth inning put runners on base and a fielder’s choice play at first base scored the first run for Sahuarita. They trailed the remainder of the game until their final at bat in the top of the seventh.

With two outs, Sahuarita’s Paityn Arrington singled up the middle and Hailey Tanori picked her up with a rip in deep center, scoring one run and trailing 3-2. Francia gave up a walk and a wild pitch had runners on first and second with two outs.

Solymar Navarro from Sahuarita doubled to right field scoring two more runs and the Mustangs took the 4-3 lead.

Paradise Honors had one final bat but went down in just seven pitches to end game.

Francia said she was struggling to keep her pitches out of the dirt in the seventh inning but continued to work after encouragement from coach and her teammates.

“I knew my entire team was working hard and wanted this as much as I did,” Francia said. “I know we didn’t win but I am satisfied with our season.”

Paradise Honors sophomore second baseman Miranda Mathis (12) forces out Sahuarita's Kayliana Cash as she throws to first to complete a double play during the fourth inning of their 3A state softball playoff game on Saturday, April 27. [Ralph Freso/For West Valley Preps][/caption]