#12 Crismon Dominates Combs for 3rd Run-Rule Win in 4 Games

The Crismon Rattlers routed the Combs Coyotes 18-1 in 4 innings and extended their winning streak to four games. 

After losing to Eastmark a week ago, Crismon has flipped a switch and has outscored opponents 61-6 in its last four outings. 

Assistant coach and point of contact Ryan Mitchell notes the loss to Eastmark was a learning curve and has helped them regroup for the rest of region play. 

“Learning curve definitely,” Mitchell said, reflecting on the loss to Eastmark. “Coming through and taking care of business during region play is a big deal for these girls. They have one goal in mind.”

Along with the goal in mind, the team has played this season with heavy hearts.

Two days before the first game of the season, Crismon head coach Rob Hehe tragically passed away. 

According to a February article from Arizona Republic's Richard Obert, Hehe is still the designated head coach this season with Mitchell serving as a point of contact as opposed to the usual "interim head coach" title.

The 2026 season is dedicated to Hehe and what he meant to the players and the program.

“This team has grown,” Mitchell said. “For these girls to come out and take care of business that quickly shows their resilience and what they have had to deal with the passing of Coach Hehe.” 

From the jump, the momentum was on the Rattlers' side. 

After only allowing one hit at the top of the first inning, Crismon got their offense rolling in the bottom of the first. 

Getting a lead-off single to start the inning was Crismon Alexis Galvez, who got on base right away. 

It wouldn’t take long for the Rattlers to get on the board. 

Crismon sophomore infielder Sophia Saldivar (who was also a finalist for the 2025 BJ Media Girls Flag Football Underclassman on the Year) would find the gap and hit the ball past the bases to get a RBI double. 

The Rattlers would proceed to show discipline at the plate as the next three batters were walked. 

Crismon infielders Skylar DaCosta and  Alee Grace Trunnell would both be walked to get the bases loaded. 

The Rattlers then added to their lead as Crismon outfielder Rebecca Garcia was walked and got an RBI as she brought Saldivar to home plate. 

Capping off the strong start in the first inning was Crismon catcher Riley Mitchell, who hit a ball to centerfield for an RBI single. 

At the end of the first inning, Crismon led 4-0 over Combs. 

In the second inning, Crismon only got better. 

At the top of the second inning, the Rattlers would get a quick three outs with each Combs batter hitting a pop fly. 

The bottom of the second inning would once again be Crismon being dominant at the plate. 

Almost immediately, the Rattlers would get a runner on second and third. 

Helping bring the runners home was DaCosta, who smashed a ball to deep centerfield to get a two RBI double. 

DaCosta wouldn’t be left stranded as Grace Trunell also hit a ball to deep centerfield and ended up getting to third base, allowing DaCosta to score. 

It seemed like the Rattlers couldn’t miss the ball, as Crismon outfielder Rebecca Garcia would get an RBI single and allow DaCosta to get to home plate. 

With two innings down, Crismon held a 10-0 lead over Combs. 

The third inning would see Crismon put the game completely out of reach. 

Combs would be able to hit a lead off single at the top of the third, but once again, Crismon was able to get three consecutive outs to get to the bottom of the inning. 

The Rattlers' offense kept on firing.

Leading off the bottom of the third was Saldivar, who would proceed to make the play of the game. 

Hitting the ball to deep right field, it looked as though Saldivar would get a triple, but due to her speed and a miscommunication by Combs, Saldivar was able to score an inside-the-park homerun. 

When the play was going on, Saldivar herself didn’t know she could make it all the way to home plate.

“I didn’t really know what was going to happen,” Saldivar said. “Coming around third, I wasn’t sure. It was just fun.” 

The Rattlers would get a few more scores before the inning concluded. 

Crismon infielder Isabella Salado knocked a two-RBI double, which allowed Garcia to score a run. 

Saldivar once again got to the plate and smashed a ball to right field, and helped Salado get to home plate for a run. 

After three innings, Crismon led 18-0. 

Even though things didn’t go their way, Combs was able to avoid the shutout and knock in one run before the game ended. 

Combs infielder Sophia Pearson hit an RBI single for the Coyotes. 

Following the conclusion of the top of the fourth inning, the game was called, giving Crismon an 18-1 win over Combs. 

The Rattlers are now 3-1 in the 4A East Sky region play, and they hope their recent success can give them momentum to keep it rolling throughout the year. 

“It just [sends] a message to everyone,” Saldivar said. “Just to keep going.”

Keep going is the perfect motto for Crismon, as they are a team built on resilience and toughness. 

Next up: 17-5 Crismon looks to extend its winning streak when they take on 5-5 Poston Butte. 9-5 Combs looks to snap their three-game losing streak when they take on 7-11 ALA Queen Creek. 

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