Tuesday was the first visit for Queen Creek to the Desert Mountain Invitational Softball Tournament. For the Bulldogs opposition this day, Chandler, it was the second time. Both have the same goal -- get better playing top competition. Both played solid games, but a four-run rally in the eighth inning by Chandler proved to be the difference as the Wolves edged Queen Creek, 7-4, on the first day of the 14th annual tournament played at Horizon Park in Scottsdale.

Mustangs defeat Deer Valley 4-0 behind the pitching of Dani Bonnet.

Championship game at 1:30 p.m.

Tourney goes to bracket play today and Saturday at Deer Valley and Sandra Day O\\\\\\\'Connor.

Senior is one of top pitchers in the state, a member of U.S. Junior National Team and signee with U. of Florida.

Just eight days ago Perry met Hamilton in softball and came out on the short end of an 11-0 contest. Perry also lost its only game of the Marcos-Corona Softball Tournament Tuesday to Desert Ridge in crushing fashion, 9-1. All that amounted to payback Wednesday as Perry tucked away those bad memories with a 4-3 victory over Hamilton to win the championship of the annual tournament at Marcos de Niza High School.

Pool play held on Thursday, bracket play on Friday and Saturday.

Hamilton has never been a world beater in softball like it has in football and baseball. Not even close. But the 2011 softball team is making its presence known. Hamilton took advantage of physical and mental errors by Desert Mountain and got the unintentional help of an umpire Monday in edging the previously unbeaten Wolves, 5-4, in pool play at the Marcos de Niza-Corona del Sol Invitational at Marcos de Niza.

Former St. Mary\'s basketball players Simon, Whyte head the list.

It was not hard to get lost in the shuffle as a prep softball pitcher in the Valley the last few years. Gilbert hurler MIchelle Duncan can relate.