SUNSET REGION: Jordan catches on to help Mustangs three-peat

Mary Jordan’s view of last year’s Class 4A Sunset Region softball final came mostly from a spot on Shadow Ridge’s bench.

The Mustang sophomore had a much different view and played a far more visible role in yet another region title Friday at Majestic Park.

Jordan was behind the plate, calling and catching another gem from senior hurler Mandy Harmon as the Mustangs defeated Centennial 7-1 to capture their third straight Sunset crown. Shadow Ridge (26-10) earned a berth in the state tournament, which begins May 22 at Majestic Park.

“Last year, I was sitting most of the season,” Jordan said. “I’m excited about this year. I take more pride in it.”

Jordan took over the everyday catching duties this season after Rayna Bradshaw graduated. By season’s end, though, it looked like Jordan had been catching Harmon for years.

“I’d never caught Mandy before, and she’s really good,” Jordan said. “It took about a week-and-a-half for me to really get used to catching her. I just try to frame pitches and try to block any balls that might hit the ground.”

Jordan is a large part of the reason why the Mustangs allowed only one run and six hits in their four region tournament games. The Mustangs’ four opponents combined to hit just 6-for-90 (.067) in the tourney.

“One of the big parts of the game to me is having trust in the catcher,” Harmon said. “I had to learn to trust her early in the season. She’s done a very good job.”

Harmon’s pitching, a solid defense and a quick-strike offense made the Mustangs unbeatable in the tourney.

Ashley Eldridge went 3-for-4, scoring three runs in the first four innings to spark Shadow Ridge. Harmon’s three-run homer in the third inning put the Mustangs up 4-0.

A bases-loaded walk to Rae-Ann Bohm and a two-out, two-run single by Ashley Huddleston in the fourth inning essentially put away the game.

“Everybody on our team deserves credit,” Harmon said. “We’re doing this as a team.”

Centennial (26-9) finally scored in the seventh inning, snapping Harmon’s streak of 47 consecutive scoreless innings during which she allowed only 10 hits.

Katie Lee singled and scored on a wild pitch for the Bulldogs, who will face Green Valley in a state play-in game Monday at Bonanza.

u25A0 Centennial 22, Durango 2 — In the losers’ bracket final, Sierra Golia had four hits before the bottom three in Durango’s order even batted as Centennial stormed to a 16-0 lead in the third inning and cruised to the win.

Golia singled twice in a six-run first inning and singled and doubled in a six-run third inning for the Bulldogs. She finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs.

Johnna Brown went 5-for-5 with a home run, five runs and four RBIs.

Also for the Bulldogs, Mikalya Djordjevic went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs, Lee was 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs, and Juelaine Noa went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

The top four spots in the Bulldogs’ lineup scored 15 runs.

Lindsay Konopelko tossed a two-hitter.