Strong competition throughout the season is helping St. Michael Lady Cardinals prepare for post season action.

St. Michael ranked number 5 in the latest 1A power rankings is 16-5 overall, more importantly 4-0 in 1A North Region. The Lady Cardinals have seven game remaining before post season. The Lady Cardinals travel to Pinon on Tuesday, facing the Lady Eagles in a freedom game.

St. Michael swept Wingate Lady Bears, 23-7 and 16-0, in a doubleheader in a pair interstate freedom games.

St. Michael head coach Karen Tom said she is thankful for all the competition thus far.

St. Michael has played six 3A North Region schools this season. The Lady Cardinals split with Window Rock and Chinle. The Lady Cardinals has beaten 3A North Region foes Tuba City and Ganado.

St. Michael split with 4A Lee Williams, from southern Arizona. The Lady Cardinals swept Wingate, (N.M.), a 3A school., in a doubleheader.

Rose Mofford Stadium in Phoenix is the site for the first three rounds of the state tournament. The 1A State Softball tournament begins on April 27 with first round action. The quarterfinals is May 3, followed by the semifinals on May 4. The state tournament shifts Farrington Stadium, on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, for the State Championship on May 7.

First Game

St. Michael 23, Wingate 7

St. Michael scored the game's first run in the top half of the first inning. Wingate came back scoring two runs in the first inning. Wingate outscored St. Michael 5-2 in the second inning for a 7-3 lead.

It was St. Michael thereafter. The Lady Cardinals scoring four runs apiece in the third and fourth innings for an 11-7 lead. The Lady Cardinals added six runs apiece in the fifth and sixth innings.

Maya Ross was the winning pitcher.Ross struckout six batters.

Aurianna Quintana had three hits, including a two doubles in the third and fifth innings and a triple in the sixth inning. Kylea Monroe belted a home run in the sixth inning. Natalia Goldtooth recorded a double and a RBI in the fifth inning. Amaya Joe had a double in the third inning, a grand slam in the fourth inning and a home run in the sixth inning. Joe recorded six RBI. Sunshine Burnside had a home run in the second and fifth innings and a pair of singles in the third and fourth innings.

Second Game

St. Michael 16, Wingate 0

St. Michael tallied five runs in the first inning. Wingate took a 5-0 lead during the bottom half of the first inning.

The Lady Cardinals extended its lead to 7-0 in the second inning. St. Michael added seven runs for a 14-0 lead in the third inning. St. Michael tallied one run in the fifth inning.

Freshman southpaw Gabriella Simpson went the distance in the pitching circle. Simpson fanned five batters during five innings of pitching.

Kalynn Smith had two hits, single and a double in the second and sixth innings. Aurianna Quintana recorded a single and a two-run home run. Gabriella Simpson slammed a triple and a three run homer. Sunshine Burnside cracked a double and a home run. Santana Dalgai nailed a triple in the first inning. Kalani Wilson belted a home run in the first inning and a rounded the bases and scoring on errors.

Prior to the first inning, the Lady Cardinals were excited and ready to play.

"We're nearing the end of the season," Tom said. "For New Mexico schools, they're still mid season. We experienced good sunshine for the first inning of the first game. Then came the snow, wind and grueling cold temperatures. We're thankful for the support from our community. We had a good crowd. They stayed throughout the two games."