It had to end this way, didn’t it?

Queen Creek softball has had one of the most dominant regular seasons, winning all but one of 36 games, in recent memory to clearly claim the top spot in Arizona.

In order for the Bulldogs to finish it with the school’s second state title, this one in 6A, and first since 1990 one team remains – Xavier.

The Gators (30-5) have won the last two state titles by beating Queen Creek in the championship both years and have won four of the last five.

It means if Queen Creek is to fulfill the players’ stated goal, it will have to dispatch the two-time defending champions when the two squads play Monday at 7 p.m. at Grand Canyon University.

If the regular season means anything, the Bulldogs are the favorites after taking out the Gators 8-1 and 9-1 this season, but the championship game is something different all together with everything on the line.

“You hit the postseason and everyone out here is good,” Queen Creek coach Ann Pierson said. “Regardless of the seed, No. 1 or No. 16, and if you don’t show up and put your best foot forward you are going to lose. We don’t really look at the rankings.

“What we care about is where are going to be ranked at the end of the season. Are we going to win the last game we play? That’s ultimately our goal.”

The Bulldogs bring an impressive offense with a ton of power, but can also get it done with small ball in close games if the moment calls for it.

They have six regulars hitting at least .430 with four players with at least seven home runs, led by Tayla Falquez’s 13 dingers, and six players with at least 34 RBI. The Bulldogs swing it and barrel a lot of balls, but it’s all about finding the grass and Xavier outfielders cover a lot of ground.

The Gators, who are led by co-coaches (and father/daughter) in Tom and Sydnie Sahhar, have difficult outs one through nine and have no problem hitting with two strikes as the hitters widen stances, and shorten their swings. The ball will be put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense as three regulars are hitting at least .400 led by Noelani Romo at .419 and four players have at least 28 RBIs with Sydney Root leading in home runs (6) and RBI (37).

“We like to get runners on base and score early to give us an advantage,” junior Sariah McNabb said. “We feel like as long as we keep the ball in play and wreak havoc on the defense than we can force them to make errors.”

Both teams play solid defense, if not great, as the routine plays will be made without issue led by two premier shortstops in Queen Creek’s Emma Reynolds and Xavier’s Sariah McNabb.

The Bulldogs and the Gators have the same fielding percentage at .968 fielding so expect about 97 percent of the plays being made cleanly.

Pitching is always a difference maker and there are plenty of talented arm’s as Xavier sophomore Sydney Root (19-3, 1.04 ERA) leads a staff that has 2.02 ERA as Molly Frazier (5-1, 2.93 ERA) and Angie Falls (5-1, 2.22 ERA) contribute as well. Queen Creek relies heavily on the duo of Aubrey Chavez (17-1, .79 ERA) and Eastmark transfer Alexis Mendez (11-0, .30 ERA).

The 5A championship, played at 1 p.m. at Grand Canyon, is region reunion as No. 2 Marana Mountain View (24-3) takes on No. 4 Canyon del Oro (28-6).

The Mountain Lions won both regular season games – 2-1 and 9-2 - to win the Sonoran Region title.

The Dorados, however, are one of the best teams in state history when it comes to postseason play, winning nine state titles with the last one coming in 2017. It is the third most in Arizona history, while Marana Mountain View is making the first appearance in program history.

Tucson schools are matched up in the 4A tournament as well with No. 2 Mica Mountain (29-4) taking on No. 1 Salpointe Catholic (26-4) at 6 p.m. at Hillenbrand Stadium at the University of Arizona.

Salpointe swept the season series – 9-0, 2-0 in 9 innings – as the Lancers continue to roll on as they have won eight state titles, while making seven straight title games – excluding the 2000 season, which was canceled  – and won six straight titles before losing in the championship game in 2025

Mica Mountain has had a quick rise to prominence as the Thunderbolts opened its doors in for the 2000-21 school year and made the state title game for the first time this season.

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