Queen Creek Blanks Salpointe 9-0 for 2nd Win of the Day at the Hamilton/ACP Invitational

In the second game of their doubleheader at ACP, the Queen Creek Bulldogs cruised past the Salpointe Lancers 9-0. 

The first game of the day, Queen Creek dominated Xavier Prep 8-1, and looked to carry over the momentum against Salpointe. 

Queen Creek head coach Ann Pierson knew what was ahead. 

“Xavier is outstanding every year, Salpointe is good at everything,” Pierson said. “We kept telling the kids we were gonna get everybody's best.”

Queen Creek was able to show why they are legit contenders in 6A.

To open up the game, both teams went scoreless in the first two innings.

In the first inning, Queen Creek junior shortstop and Oklahoma commit Emma Reynolds hit a lead-off double. 

That would be the only success in the first inning for Queen Creek, however, as no other players could get on base. 

A reason for that was Salpointe senior pitcher Macee Jackson got two consecutive strikeouts to get to the bottom of the first. 

It would be the same story in the second inning as neither side could get any offense going. 

The stagnant offense would come to a complete stop for the Bulldogs, though, as they gained a strong lead in the third inning. 

In her second at bat, Reynolds was walked. 

Then Queen Creek senior Kayla Porter hit a single to have two runners on base. 

To bring everyone home, Queen Creek sophomore Delia Marquez would smash a ball dead center over the fences for a three-run home run. 

Feeding off her teammates' momentum, Queen Creek sophomore Tayla Falquez hit a solo home run. 

Just like that, Queen Creek claimed a 4-0 lead over Salpointe. 

For the next few innings, both teams struggled to get on base. 

Once again, for Salpointe, Jackson would keep getting strikeouts to keep Queen Creek's lead within reach.

The Bulldogs would keep getting it done at the mound, too, as Queen Creek senior pitcher Alexis Mendez got three strikeouts to close out the fifth inning. 

During the sixth inning, Queen Creek extended their lead. 

After already going two for two at the plate with a walk, Reynolds continued to dominate. 

Reynolds would drill a ball to deep left field for a two-run home run and give the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead heading into the seventh and final inning. 

While hitting the ball over the fence is always a great thing, Queen Creek prides itself on not relying on it. 

“It’s always great to see the ball fly out of the park, but I never want to rely on that,” Pierson said. “That could go dry quickly. I’d rather base hit a team. I was pleased with how well we were hitting the ball.” 

Getting on base at the beginning of the seventh inning was Marquez, who got a walk. 

Queen Creek would then continue to smash the ball out of the park.

After already hitting a solo home run earlier in the contest, Falquez sent another ball over the fences to get a two-run home run. 

Even though it may seem intentional, Falquez says hitting home runs can be mistakes when you are trying to hit gaps in the field. 

“More home runs are mistakes when you are trying to hit gaps,” Falquez said. “But sometimes it just turns into a home run."

A good mistake to have as Falquez was driving every ball deep during the game. 

Putting the finishing touches on the game was Queen Creek sophomore Madison Peterson, who hit an RBI single. 

Whether it was pitching, fielding, or hitting, Queen Creek dominated on all sides of the plate against Salpointe. 

Now moving to 11-0 on the season, the hope is to finish out the Hamilton/ACP invitational strong and keep the momentum rolling for the rest of the season. 

The Bulldogs have what it takes to win it all this season, but their mindset right now is to take it game by game. 

“We like to call it 1-0 after every game,” Falquez said. “Instead of the whole record, just 1-0, so we take it game by game.”

Next up: Both teams continue play in the Hamilton/ACP invitational. 11-0 Queen Creek will take on 5-4 Sunnyside while 7-2 Salpointe will look for a bounce-back win against 4-4 Highland.

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