Arcadia's Jordyn Pender delivers two-run single in 9-8 win over Chaparral. (AzPreps365 photo)

Top-ranked Arcadia's softball team has been in the thick of region races with the current group of seniors, but they've never been able to call a region title their own -- until Tuesday afternoon.

Arcadia's second big inning of the game - a four-run outburst with two outs in th sixth -- gave way to a 9-8 come-from behind win over #4 Chaparral at in a 5A contest at Chaparral's Jeff Oscarson Field.

With the victory Arcadia improved to 25-3 overall, 15-1 in power-ranking games and finished region play 8-0. Chaparral (20-8, 12-3 prg and 3-2 in region, lost its third game in a row after taking over the No. 1 spot in the power-rankings less than a week ago.

Defense played a huge part in those trio of defeats for the Firebirds. On Tuesday seven of the nine runs they allowed were unearned -- including all five of the runs  Arcadia scored in the second. Firebirds pitcher Maggie Thurston deserved a better outcome.

Arcadia, with eight seniors on this year's roster and six in its starting lineup, saw a 5-1 lead  in the second inning evaporate gradually by the fifth inning.  A three-run homer by Chaparral shortstop Callie Honig had put a temporary crimp in the Titans' plans to clinch the 5A Northeast Valley Region title.

The Titans dug deep in the sixth to overcome the dramatics associated with Honig's home run. With runners at second and third and two outs, centerfielder Kelly Flynn beat out and infield grounder sliding head first into first on a bang-bang play. Both Arcadia runners scored after the dust cleared at first for a 7-6 lead. Another single and Chaparral's thrid error of the game loaded the bases.

It brought up No. 5 hitter Jordyn Pender. Pender had a tough day at the plate to that point. She struck out twice in the five-run, second inning and popped out to second in her third at-bat. Pender was down in the count 1-2 on her final at-bat and stroked a solid, two-run single to left to drive in the Titans'  final runs.

They needed them. Chaparral  scored twice in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, tallying on a wild pitch and RBI single by Haley Boxwell to make it 9-8.

Arcadia took the one-run edge to the bottom of the seventh and its third pitcher of the game - senior Abby Holloran -- gave up a leadoff single. Coach Jason Foster called for his third pitching change by bringing back starter Ellie Richardson.

Richardson proceeded to get the final three outs in succession on a pop-up, ground out and fly to right. Chaparral left the tying run at third base.

"These seniors have been close and wanted the region title bad his year.," Foster said. "We bounced back to get this one having to overcome that home run. It could have taken something out of us."

Jade Ng, Arcadia's second pitcher, go the win. She joined the team at midseason after sitting out 9 games due to a transfer. Richardson got the save.