Catie Cheshire is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Highland for AZPreps365.com.

Queen Creek scored 11 runs in Wednesday night’s game against Highland, but it wasn’t their offense that dealt the final blow.

A wild rundown on the bases resulted in the final two outs of the game. Third baseman Alexis Dellamonica said it was the highlight of the night, which ended with an 11-1 score.

Dellamonica watched as shortstop Reese Lee cut Sienna Solis’s grounder off before it reached the outfield. She told Lee to hold it because she could see that Highland baserunner Tori Sanchez wasn’t sure if she should try for home or stay at third.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Solis was already well on her way to third, forcing Sanchez to try for home.

Lee threw home.

Sanchez headed back to third.

Dellamonica tagged Sanchez out, threw to second and got Solis out, too.

To Highland coach Brian Schmidt, the final play exemplified the pattern of the game.

“When we made mistakes, they capitalized,” he said. “When they made mistakes, we did not capitalize.”

Queen Creek scored nine of its 11 runs in the third and fourth innings.

In the third, Lee hit a leadoff double. Then, Highland pitcher Morgan Schmidt hit the next Bulldog batter with a pitch.

The next three batters all reached base and scored, including a blazing triple from Madison Padilla, before the inning ended on a strikeout from Schmidt.

Morgan Gifford was the first Hawk up to bat in the bottom of the third. She hit a dart just behind the first baseman that seemed destined to land, but right fielder Brandy Ayala made a diving play, recording an out and stymying what could have been some life for Highland.

Two batters later, Solis hit a home run, scoring the Hawks’ only run of the night.

The fourth inning proved even more disastrous for Highland as Queen Creek scored five runs, including a two-run no-doubter from Padilla.

The Bulldogs added another run in the fifth then sent Highland packing with the rundown on the bases, closing the game with gusto to back up a successful night from their freshman pitcher.

Although Householder said her command wasn’t as good as it has been this season, she held the Hawks to one run and recorded four strikeouts.

“I like her tenacity,” Queen Creek coach Keith Householder said. “She just keeps going after you and going after you and going after you.”

Householder highlighted the energy and team spirit from the Bulldogs in the game.

“I don't say much to them; I let them do it,” Householder said. “We’re a pretty loose, happy group. They gotta be loose to play well and as long as they're loose they usually do.”

According to Lee, the Bulldogs’ aggressiveness and baserunning is what won them the game. Queen Creek stole three bases, including two by Dellamonica. They also advanced on several Highland errors.

“We all played for each other that game,” Dellamonica said. “It was definitely a team effort.”

By contrast, Schmidt said Highland isn’t playing to their full ability, coming to some games unprepared to compete. The seniors held a meeting for the team after the game, taking leadership to shore the team up after the loss, according to Schmidt.

“Hopefully the takeaway is they take it personal and they come ready to fight,” Schmidt said.

Highland (3-5) has a quick turnaround, playing at Shadow Ridge (5-1) at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Queen Creek (6-2) will play at Desert Vista (6-2) at 3:45 p.m. Friday, which Householder said will be another test for the team due to Desert Vista’s pitching prowess.

Householder thinks the Bulldogs could make a run at the state championship despite their young roster.

“A lot of times young kids don't realize they're not supposed to win and they just go out and play,” he said.