Empire has been a fixture in the semifinal round starting in 2013, and the program only missed out being in the final four in 2014, 2016 and 2020, due to COVID cancellations. That incredible run includes state championships in 2015, 2017, 2024 and 2025 under head coach Shannon Woolridge and, more recently, the last three semifinal matches have been against Tanque Verde.

The Ravens beat Tanque Verde 6-0 in 2024 and 1-0 last year in an epic nine inning battle. This year, the Hawks broke through with a 9-2 victory over Empire in a semifinal game held at the intimate confines of the Flowing Wells stadium. Tanque Verde (28-5) came in seeded No. 7 and Empire (24-7) was seeded No. 3.

Junior Claire Achilles (12-0) took the circle for Tanque Verde and freshman Addison Heitholt (6-0) took the ball for Empire with sophomore Vanessa Grijalva (12-7) taking over in the third inning. The scoring began in the bottom of the second with two outs. Nya Burton doubled to the fence in left field and then Darby Smalligan reached on an infield error to move Burton to third base where Ava Norton knocked her in for a 1-0 lead.

The Hawks plated the three runs in the top of the third with Ella Haggard picking up a leadoff walk followed by a single from Gabby Fukunaga to put two on. Mikaela Jackson was hit-by-pitch to load the bases and Emily Ryan brought the first run in on a sacrifice fly. Remi Johnson brought in Fukunaga to make it 2-1 and then Achilles singled to score Jackson for the 3-1 lead.

The Hawks loaded the bases again in the top of the fifth on singles from Jackson, Ryan and Johnson. Sara Hoagland scored Jackson on a fielder’s choice but she reached on an error on the play and Ryan scored on the same error to make it 5-1 Tanque Verde. Aubrey Cantalicio Brought in Johnson one out later for a 6-1 lead.

Norton reached in the bottom half of the fifth on a single and then Lainey Kroeger reached on a fielder’s choice. Kroeger scored on a throwing error running from second base to cut the lead down to 6-2. Ryan reached in the sixth and Johnson doubled her home to make it 7-2.

An error put Elizabeth Pratt on in the top of the seventh and then Emma McClanahan reached on a fielder’s choice. Fukunaga singled with two outs and then Jackson brought in McClanahan and Fukunaga for the 9-2 final.

Norton went 2-3 with a double and an RBI for Empire and Johnson went 3-4 with a double and two RBI to lead Tanque Verde. Jackson went 2-4 with two RBI, Ryan went 2-4 with an RBI, Hoagland and two RBI and Fukunaga went 2-4. Achilles finished with eight strikeouts.

Tanque Verde will face No. 5 Yuma Catholic (27-5-1) in the 3A championship scheduled for Monday at GCU at 7 p.m. Yuma Catholic beat No. 1 Valley Christian 5-3 in the other semifinal match. Empire beat Yuma Catholic 1-0 in eight innings to win the state championship last year and the Ravens beat Valley Christian 10-6 in 2024.

Tanque Verde head coach Mark Stevens led Catalina Foothills to a D-III state championship on 2016.