In high school sports, seniors are typically behind championship seasons. Faith Lutheran had none of that this year — just six freshmen, four sophomores and a junior.
But the youthful squad walked off the field Saturday with one state championship trophy.
Zoey TarBush went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs to lead the Crusaders (27-1) to a 9-3 win over Desert Oasis in the 4A state softball finals at Sierra Vista. The championship was the program’s first after seven previous semifinal eliminations.
“We knew what we were up against this year,” Faith Lutheran coach Amanda Zunno said. “We realized this was going to be a teaching year, and the players were going to have to learn a lot from the coaching staff. They got to where they needed to be.”
The Crusaders, the Desert League’s top seed, wasted no time asserting themselves, scoring five runs on four hits in a first inning capped by freshman Emery Gibson’s three-run double. Diamondbacks starter Cassidy Infante did not make it out of the inning and was relieved by Alissa Perkins, who went the rest of the way.
Though the Desert League’s second-seeded Diamondbacks cut their deficit to 5-2 with back-to-back RBI singles by Ryann Smith and Ava Welch in the fourth inning, Crusaders starter Madison Pitts maintained composure and went on to throw five strong innings to earn the win.
“It was very comforting to know I had a lead to work with,” Pitts said. “I felt strong today, and the team had a lot of chemistry.”
Desert Oasis (17-4) built some momentum with a fifth-inning run to make it 6-3, but TarBush led off with a solo homer to left field in the bottom of the inning to minimize chances of a Diamondbacks rally.
“I was just thinking base hit,” the freshman said of her smash. “But it went out and it was an unreal moment.”
Zunno said her team’s ability to attack early was a key to the win.
“It always feels good to get an early jump,” said Zunno, whose squad won all four of its games against the Diamondbacks this season. “It helps take the pressure off the defense and the pitcher, especially in such an important game.”
Bella Dimmick had two doubles and an RBI to help Faith Lutheran.
Taylor Adams went 2-for-3 with an RBI to help Desert Oasis.
TarBush noted that the entire Faith Lutheran roster will return next year.
“We’ll be wonderful and we’ll add even more good players,” she said.
Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.
