#3 Desert Vista Rolls Off 8 Unanswered Runs to Defeat #15 Hamilton 8-4

The Desert Vista Thunder erased a 4-0 deficit with 8 unanswered runs to defeat the Hamilton Huskies on Wednesday evening. 

Early on, it was Hamilton that would come out swinging. 

The Huskies would prevent Desert Vista from scoring in the first three innings of the contest. 

While their pitching and defense were holding down the fort, Hamilton wasted no time striking first. 

Hamilton senior outfielder Amanda Benites led off the bottom of the first inning with a ball to deep right field to get a triple. 

A few at-bats later, Benites used her elite speed to steal home and put Hamilton on the board. 

Fast forwarding to the third inning, the Huskies would gain a solid lead. 

Just like in the first inning, Benites would lead off the third with a triple. 

It wouldn’t take long to bring her home as Hamilton junior outfielder Briley Pinks smashed a ball to deep center field for an RBI triple. 

Before the third inning concluded, Hamilton would tack on two more runs. 

Scoring the RBI’s would be Hamilton senior infielder Taylor Hampton and sophomore catcher Makenzie Lacqueme. 

After three innings, Hamilton led 4-0. 

Admitting they got out to a slow start was Desert Vista head coach Chris Crowl, who knew it would be a tough game against a team like Hamilton. 

“That’s a playoff team, we’re gonna see them again,” Crowl said. “We were a little flat, to be honest.”

With not much going for them in the first three innings, the Thunder started to turn it around at the top of the fourth inning. 

Getting the offense going was Desert Vista senior infielder Kaiya Amato after she hit a lead-off double. 

The next at bat for Thunder would see them score their first run of the game. 

Bringing Amato to home plate was Desert Vista junior infielder Maria Ruvalcaba, who hit a ball to deep left field for an RBI triple. 

The final run of the inning for the Thunder came when Desert Vista sophomore outfielder Reese Davis hit an RBI to bring Ruvalcaba in for the run. 

In just one inning, Desert Vista was right back into the game. 

Not only was the offense starting to click, but the pitching for the Thunder came alive. 

Leading the way on the mound was Desert Vista senior pitcher Thailee Jones.

Jones was put in multiple tough situations with runners on base, but kept finding a way to get strikeouts and get out of innings. 

There was no doubt in Jones' mind that sooner or later they would get things rolling. 

“I knew my defense had my back at all times,” Jones said. “I knew our bats were gonna wake up sooner or later.” 

With everything starting to click, it was just a matter of time until Desert Vista took hold of the lead. 

The top of the sixth inning would see the Thunder get their first lead of the game. 

The beginning of the sixth inning saw Desert Vista get the bases fully loaded with only one out. 

Desert Vista senior outfielder Ava Briski, sophomore infielder Takoah Jones, and Davis all got singles to land on base. 

The following at-bat completely changed the game. 

Coming up to the plate was Desert Vista senior outfielder Jaymie Larney.

Making the play of the game, Larney smashed a ball over the center field wall to get a grand slam and give her team a three-run lead. 

The entire team behind Larney had all the confidence that she could come through clutch.

“That’s one of the things she’s been doing for us all year,” Crowl said. “Coming up with the big hit at the right time.”

Before the game was over, the Thunder would add one more run to close it out. 

At the top of the seventh inning, Desert Vista senior catcher Kylie Dagan hit a solo home run to put the game away. 

Even though they now sit at 14-1, it is important for Desert Vista to focus on what’s in front of them and not the past. 

“Keeping our mentality really high,” Jones said regarding how she wants to finish the season out. “Forgetting about the past and only thinking of the positives.” 

With only six games left in the regular season, Desert Vista is ahead of schedule with its mentality and is already in postseason mode. 

“We’re in playoff mode right now, every game is a playoff mode,” Crowl said. “Our girls are feeding into the fact that we gotta keep pushing.” 

Next up: 14-1 Desert Vista will look to extend its winning streak when they take on 9-10 Corona Del Sol. 14-11 Hamilton looks to get a bounce-back win when they take on 8-11 Casteel. 

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