Xavier Prep Blanks Queen Creek to Complete 6A Title 3-Peat

The Xavier Prep Gators took down the Queen Creek Bulldogs 6-0 at Grand Canyon University softball stadium in the 6A championship game.

The Gators have now won three straight 6A softball championships, all against the Bulldogs.

Even though they won the previous two 6A titles, Xavier Prep co-head coach Tom Sahhar said they put every season into chunks.

“We break the season into chunks,” Sahhar said. “We want to peak and do our best when the timing really counts.” 

Peak at the right time is exactly what they did. 

In the first inning, neither team could get any offensive momentum going.

Starting at pitcher for the Gators was Xavier Prep 2028 pitcher Sydney Root, who got the momentum rolling.

Root was a core foundation to the team this season and proved it on the mound in the biggest game of the season.

In the first inning, Root got two quick strikeouts. 

Root knew she would be the starter for the championship and didn’t let the nerves get to her. 

“A little bit, but nothing crazy,” Root said regarding her nerves heading into the 6A championship game. “I feel like I should’ve been more nervous, but it was all good.”

The top of the second inning saw the Gators put a run on the board first. 

2027 shortstop Sariah McNabb found a gap in right field for an RBI double. 

Scoring off the McNabb double was 2026 Leah Jollineau. 

Following the second inning, Xavier Prep was able to add to its lead. 

Hitting a ball to deep centerfield was 2027 Angie Falls, who knocked in a RBI double to bring 2027 Noelani Romo to home plate. 

Then, giving the Gators their second run in the third inning was 2029 Sophia Jarmaillo. 

Jarmaillo smacked the ball in almost the same spot Falls did earlier to snag an RBI double as well. 

The run was then scored by 2027 Sofia Pacheco. 

Heading into the bottom of the third, Queen Creek finally gained some momentum. 

Queen Creek 2026 Kayla Porter hit a single, and 2028 Tayla Falquez doubled to put pressure on the Gators.

Bases eventually got loaded, and with only one out, Queen Creek was put in prime position to make up some ground.

That was until Root retired the next two batters and got out of a bases-loaded situation. 

Knowing the situation could have gotten bad, Root recalibrated herself and trusted the process. 

“Definitely slow myself down, trust my defense, trust my pitches,” Root said. “Believe that I know what I’m doing.”  

With three innings down, Xavier Prep had a 3-0 lead over Queen Creek and all the momentum. 

The Bulldogs went with a pitching change after three innings and were able to hold off the Gators for a few innings. 

Queen Creek 2026 Alexis Mendez came out of the bullpen and delivered numerous strikeouts and held Xavier Prep to no additional runs for a few innings. 

Xavier Prep kept getting it done, too; however, as Root would continue to flourish and flat-out dominate with every pitch she threw. 

Heading into the seventh inning with the score still 3-0 in favor of the Gators, Xavier Prep was able to add insurance runs. 

Falls had another big time at bat as she knocked in an RBI single, finding a gap between first and second base.

Rounding second to home plate off the single was 2027 Makenzie Latvaaho.

The Gators fed off the momentum.

Getting her first RBI of the game, Jollineau hit an RBI single that gave Pacheco her second run scored of the game. 

Headed to the bottom of the seventh, Xavier Prep now had a commanding 6-0 lead. 

The Gators would not let Queen Creek get anything as the bottom of the seventh saw Xavier Prep get a quick 1-2-3 out inning and secure the win. 

For three years in a row, Xavier Prep has been the last team standing in 6A. 

They are the modern dynasty in Arizona and have built a program for the past, present and future. 

The emotion that comes to mind for Xavier Prep after hoisting the 6A trophy is just pure joy. 

“A huge smile,” Sahhar said when thinking about his team being the 6A champions. “A lot of relief, just excitement for this team. A lot of joy.”