Basha, #1 in 6A in the current power-rankings, showed why again on Friday afternoon. The Bears received shutout pitching from Natalie Fritz in posting a 5-0 victory over #8 Perry at Perry High.

Fritz, a junior, allowed three baserunners - two via hits and one walk - in tossing a complete game. Fritz had to be sharp most of the way as the teams were scoreless through four innings.

Basha (15-2-1 overall, 2-0 Premier Region) pushed across a run in the fifth and batted around in the sixth adding four runs to give Fritz plenty of breathing room. Her teammates turned a double play to escape the only threat in the fourth inning. Fritz followed with three-up, three-down innings in the fifth, sixth and seventh.

Basha collected seven hits. Two were by MiaLani O'Campo keying Bears' rallies in the fifth and sixth. O'Campo singled leading off the fifth and scored on Aniyah Jaiman's sacrifice fly, the first of three RBI for Jaiman. 

O'Campo struck again in the sixth with a two-run double to left to begin a four-run rally. Jaiman's two-run single capped the rally and finished the scoring.

Perry's Alexa Ortiz started and pitched 5 2/3 innings. Ortiz allowed six hits, all five runs, walked one and struck out seven. Dominique Walicke pitched the final 1 1/3 innings giving up one hit and fanned the side in the seventh.

Basha plays Tuesday through Thursday next week with Friday an off day for most schools due to the Easter holiday. The Bears host Hamilton (region) on Tuesday, visit Desert Ridge (non-region) on Wednesday and a rematch at Hamilton on Thursday.

Perry embarks on an even busier schedule next week with games Monday through Thursday. The Pumas host Mountain Ridge (non-region) on Monday, visit Xavier Prep (region) Tuesday, host Highland (non-region) Wednesday and host Xavier Prep (region) Thursday.