Window Rock freshman righthanded pitcher Alexis Tsosie-Hood threw seven strong innings, striking out 14 batters and helped the Lady Scouts post a 6-0 shutout over the Chinle Lady Wildcats for the 3A North Regional Tournament title at Tuba City High School.

Tsosie-Hood silenced Tuba City's bats, throwing a four-hitter. Enroute to earning the win in the pitching circle, Tsosie-Hood allowed one walk.

Window Rock head coach Cynthia Smiley said the Lady Scouts had to stay focused and in game mode. Earlier in the day, Chinle knocked off the Page Sand Devils in a semifinal game. Window Rock chalked up an 11-0 shutout over the Ganado Lady Hornets in a semifinal game on the opposite side of the bracket.

"We had to be prepared to play whoever won between Page and Chinle," Smiley said.

Smiley said the Lady Scouts had to play defense and offense together to come up with the win (against Chinle). (They) Lady Scouts all worked together in both games (Ganado and Chinle) and never let up.

"I am very proud of our team," Smiley said.

Enroute to posting a shutout, Window Rock tallied two runs each in the first, second and third innings.

Tsosie-Hood helped her own cause at the plate, cracking a pair of hits at three plate appearances. Tsosie-Hood had a single, belted a home run and scored two runs.

Lady Scouts teammate, junior Rachael Smiley was a perfect two-for-two at the plate. Smiley recorded a pair of doubles and crossed the plate once.

Semifinals

Window Rock 11, Ganado 0

Earlier in the day, Window Rock chalked up an 11-0 shutout over the Ganado Lady Hornets in the semifinals.

Window Rock head coach Cynthia Smiley said the Lady Scouts entered the game calm and ready to work.

"We had an awesome practice week," Smiley said. "We continued to set our goals and to work together."

The Lady Scouts crossed the plate three times in the first inning. Window Rock's defense backed up winning pitcher Rachael Smiley. The Lady Scouts' offense tallied two runs in the third inning, for a 5-0 lead, after three innings.

Window Rock added two runs in the fifth inning for a 7-0 advantage. The Lady Scouts crossed the plate four times in the sixth inning.

Tsosie-Hood and senior Aliyah Freeman lead Window Rock with three hits apiece. Tsosie-Hood had a pair of singles, a home run and crossed the plate three times. Freeman recorded two singles and a home run, while scoring three runs. Rachael Smiley had two RBI, scoring a pair of runs and a home run.

Winning pitcher Rachael Smiley threw six innings. Allowed a pair of singles, walked four batters and fanning nine.

Post Season

The final rankings, along with the 3A Conference Play-In Tournament games, will be released on Tuesday, after all results through games played on Monday have been reported.

Page is ranked 12th, followed by Window Rock in number 13. Chinle is ranked number 19th. Schools ranked 9th to 24th will play in the 3A Conference Play-In Tournament, beginning on Wednesday at the site of the high seed at 4 p.m.

The top eight ranked schools earn a berth in the state tournament. The first three rounds of the state tournament will be played at Rose Mofford Softball Complex in Phoenix. Round one of the state tournament is scheduled for April 27. The state quarterfinals is set for May 3. The state semifinals is scheuled for May 4.

The state championship game will be played on May 6 at Farrington Softball Stadium, on the campus of Arizona State University, in Tempe.