Xavier Prep Defeats Pinnacle 6-2 to Force 2nd Semifinal
- Mason Byers
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
On Wednesday night at Mesa High School, the #4 Xavier Prep Gators took down the #3 Pinnacle Pioneers 6-2 in the 6A semi-finals.
In the first inning, the Gators made a statement.
Opening up the game, Xavier Prep would get multiple runners on base.
Leading off the game was 2027 infielder Sariah McNabb (daughter of former NFL QB Donovan McNabb), who hit a single.
McNabb would not be left on base for long as 2028 pitcher Sydney Root blasted a RBI double to get the Gators on the board first.
The Gators would add on two more runs at the top of the first inning.
2027 infiedler Angie Falls hit a two RBI single to make the lead 3-0.
Scoring the runs were Root and Xavier Prep 2027 infielder Joie Ramos.
Right out the gate, the Gators held a 3-0 lead and took control of the momentum early.
Heading into the bottom of the first, Xavier Prep displayed elite pitching and defense.
Not only did Root get an RBI in the first inning, but she crushed it on the mound to get multiple strikeouts early on in the game.
Xavier Prep co-head coach Sydnie Sahhar said that Root is a special player who can do it all for the team.
“She’s ready to do anything that we ask of her,” Sydnie Sahhar said. “It’s really great to have her on both sides.”
For the next few innings, both teams would keep each other at bay and not allow either offense to get going.
Pinnacle junior pitcher Lilly Hamel bounced back after giving up three runs in the first inning and held Xavier Prep to no more runs until the sixth inning.
Then, just like she did in the first inning, Root continued to stack up the strikeouts and frustrate the Pioneers batters.
Knowing that this could have been the last game of the season for the Gators, Root had faith in herself and her teammates to pull it out.
“This could be the last one, so give it all that you got,” Root said when talking about her mindset heading into the contest. “Just trusting everybody behind me, the defense and the bats.”
In the sixth inning, Xavier Prep added onto their lead.
Early in the top of the sixth inning, 2027 infielder Sofia Pacheco would get a base hit.
Helping bring her to home plate was 2029 infielder Sophia Jarmaillo, who knocked in a RBI double.
Before the inning concluded, 2027 outfielder McKenna Hackett was able to put the ball in play and get an RBI that allowed Jarmaillo to score the run.
At the bottom of the sixth, Pinnacle was able to get their best play of the game and get on the board.
In what was one of the best plays of the night, 2026 Torynn Slaughter smashed a ball past the right field wall for a two-run homer.
Also scoring on the run was 2026 Sienna Carlo.
Even with the dinger, Xavier Prep held a strong 5-2 lead and looked like a well-oiled machine heading into the final inning.
The top of the seventh saw the Gators put the game away.
2027 infiedler Makenzie Latvaaho hit a solo home run over the right field wall and put a cherry on top of a great game for her team.
The Gators grinded out a tough win and get to keep fighting in the 6A playoff bracket.
Xavier Prep co-head coach Tom Sahhar said the team's mentality is to believe in what they do.
“They continue to believe in each other and believe in what they are putting out there,” Tom Sahhar said. “They just keep fighting.”
Because the 6A softball tournament is a double elimination format and Xavier Prep handed Pinnacle its first lost of the tournament, they will have to beat them a second time tomorrow for a spot in the title game.
They will be ready to go and try to build off tonight's win and an overall great playoff push.
“We’re going to try to ride the momentum,” Tom Sahhar said. “Told the girls to celebrate now, but tomorrow is a new day, tomorrow is a new game. Just come back out and ready to battle.”
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