Nico Lehocky is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZPreps365.com

Coronado softball's losing streak continued as it lost to Shadow Mountain 21-11 on March 21. 

This marked the 57th game in a row that it has lost. The last win dates back to April 2021. 

The game was back and forth as Coronado led 11-7 going into the bottom of the third, but a decisive three-run triple by Ava Maroulis helped spark Shadow Mountain’s comeback. 

“We did well,” coach Pierre Rivera said. “The spirits are up, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better tonight.” 

Senior Chandara Louis started the game for Coronado and pitched the entire 2 2/3 innings and racked up four strikeouts. 

“Chandara is our ace pitcher,” Rivera said. “When she gets the nerves out after the first three or so batters, she’s really good. We’re impressed with her.”

Louis said she felt confident going into Friday’s game, even though she was just coming off of a two-week spring break. 

“In warmups I was able to get my flow,” Louis said. “And I knew that if I were to mess up that I had my teammates right behind me.” 

Shadow Mountain’s offensive output was largely credited to Maroulis, who got two hits and two RBIs in the win.

Maroulis is currently batting .800, which ranks first in the 4A Conference. 

The 11 runs that Coronado scored are the first it scored all season. Rivera is pleased that it finally put runs on the board.

“It feels amazing,” Rivera said. “Just seeing the girls hit. That’s the most important part.” 

That output can be accredited to Coronado racking up 10 walks and stealing seven bases. 

Coronado got its first run of the game in the first inning off of a passed ball where junior Naomi Lopez stole home.

“Our baserunning is important,” said Lopez, who went 1-for-2. “Watching the ball, and our teammates, helps us win games.”

Coronado’s offense was led by freshman Jordyn Taylor, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

“I actually felt really good,” Taylor said. “I know I don’t play a lot, so playing like that feels really good.” 

With this performance, Rivera said he believes that Taylor will continue her offensive output into the next few games.

Coronado now looks to bring what it has learned from the game to the rest of the season.

“In the past three to four years, I’m glad to have this teamwork,” Louis said. “Especially the bond we were creating during this game, the hype we brought to this game. I just hope we can bring that to our next game.” 

“The attitude that we had was the best,” Lopez said. “It is what got us here, and I hope it keeps going for the rest of the year.”

With the win, Shadow Mountain moved to 5-0, which places them first in the 4A Skyline Region. 

Coronado fell to 0-4, where it sits at third place in the 4A Canyon Region.