Xavier defeats Queen Creek for 3rd 6A state softball championship since 2021

Bases loaded. Full count. Two outs. One-run game. Championship on the line.

Nearly every young kid imagines this situation in their backyard while playing with a whiffle ball. Except this time, it was reality for Phoenix Xavier Prep freshman pitcher Angie Falls.

That was the scenario for Falls in the 6A state softball championship game on Monday evening at Arizona State's Farrington Stadium against Queen Creek, as the Bulldogs loaded up the bases with a chance to win the game in walk-off fashion.

And the freshman — as calm as ever — came through as she forced a fly out, securing the third state title in the past four seasons for Xavier Prep. She called the final pitch herself.

“Angie has progressed through the year, she’s matured as a pitcher,” Xavier Prep coach Bradley Downes said. “She was playing 14 and under when we started this year. As she has gone through, she’s learned how to pitch more competitively and has risen to the occasion. She’s worked really hard to do it. Watching that work ethic inspires confidence from the coaches. She’s been terrific.”

It was the second straight inning that Falls managed to work herself out of a tight jam as the bases were loaded in the bottom of the 6th inning with no outs. Falls had already given up two runs and watched Xavier’s lead get cut to 3-2. But Falls rattled off a strikeout, a pop up and another strikeout to stop the dam from bursting. That ended up being the final score.

The moment felt like a defining one for the emerging Falls.

For someone who is only a few months into playing at the high school level, Falls has the swagger of a seasoned vet. With the lights shining the brightest down on Farrington — both literally and figuratively — Falls didn’t blink once.

“I think it kind of just became a second nature to me after doing three or four playoff games,” Falls said. “This just felt like a reward to play in this game.”

Falls was the star on the mound, but it was junior Riley McKeever behind the plate who was the engine for the Gators on the offensive end. McKeever, who was helping Falls stay in control in her role as catcher, drove in all three runs for Xavier.

McKeever got the action started when an error from in left field – Queen Creek had the ball, but dropped it – put Xavier ahead 1-0 in the top of the 2nd inning. Two innings later, McKeever then hit a line drive that plopped over the left fielder’s head for a stand-up double as Xavier extended their lead to 3-0.

It was truly an all-around effort from McKeever.

“Riley is that steady presence,” Downes said. “Her freshman year, we won it in 2022. She’s just been back there. She knows what to do. She’s able to really talk and she has a rapport with Angie. Timely hitting, started us up.”

For Falls, it was memorable to see her catcher and best friend come up so clutch.

“It’s just so special for her,” Falls said. “She’s had a little bit of struggling hitting during the regular season and she’s only come through when we needed it. I’m just so grateful for her.”

Xavier Prep has titles spread out across many sports, but one sport they haven’t historically dominated is softball. That’s changing though as the Gators won their third state title since 2021.

“For the school, it’s women of faith who strive for excellence,” Downes said. “We’re trying to have that excellence on the field as well. We’re fortunate to have unbelievable athletes that come in, but even better people. They’re so much fun to be around.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Xavier defeats Queen Creek for 6A Arizona softball championship