#2-seed Basha's road to the 6A softball championship game was paved with pitching. 

The latest gem was delivered Thursday night with Basha's Natalie Fritz coming within two outs of perfect game in a 6A semifinal vs. top-seed Queen Creek.

Fritz, a junior, struck out 12. She lost her perfect-game bid via a one-out, bunt single in the seventh by Queen Creek's Cecelia Marquez. Fritz was unfazed. She secured the final two outs on fly balls to complete the Bears 3-0 victory over Queen Creerk at Quail Run Park.

Basha (25-4-1) faces #4 seed and Premier Region foe Perry (21-9) for the championship. Perry earned its spot defeating #6 Red Mountain, 3-2. The title game is set for Monday at ASU's Farrington Stadium. Game time is 8 p.m.

Basha supplied Fritz runs to work with quickly. Leadoff hitter Gabriella Garcia homered leading off the bottom of the first. It was Garcia's team-leading 11th home run. The Bears made it 2-0 in the second on another solo homer - this one by freshman Morgan Bragg (her 10th of the season). Their final run scored in fifth inning with benefit of a hit. Two walks and a throwing error acounted for the tally.

Queen Creek junior Corie Shull well in defeate . Shull allowed four hits, walked three and struck out two.