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Sahuaro earned the No. 1 seed in the 4A Kino Region tournament over the course of the regular season.

But on Tuesday, Catalina Foothills, the team that finished one game behind the Cougars in the standings, mercy-ruled the regular-season champs 13-2 in the championship game at Cherry Field.

The second-seeded Falcons (23-9) brought out the bats early, scoring four runs in the first inning and never relented. Foothills had 16 hits.

"They hit the ball. There's nothing more I can say about today other than they hit the ball, and we didn't hit the ball," said Sahuaro coach Steve Sanchez. "We've played them two games, and they didn't hit the ball like this."

Bri Swift was 4 for 4 for Foothills with two doubles and five RBIs. Gabby Danaher also came up big for Foothills, going 4 for 5 with three runs scored.

"I don't know if we expected it," said Foothills coach Trent Emenecker. "We looked a little nervous in warm-ups. … But here was no pressure on us, just relax and have fun."

Sahuaro (21-7) had only five hits in the game. The Cougars manufactured runs in the fourth and sixth innings but could not put together a large rally against Foothills pitcher Melissa Meridew.

Foothills will try to ride its tournament victory into the Class 4A-I state tournament, which starts Saturday.

"I'm not big on momentum," Emenecker said. "Each team is different, but it's always better to go into a game after a win than after a loss, so I feel good about playing on Saturday."

Sanchez did not want to reflect on the loss heading into the tournament.

"We just need to step up better. The good thing is that it's not the last game," said Sanchez.

● Canyon del Oro 5, Sabino 1: Megan Franklin hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first, and the Dorados cruised to victory on the arm of Kenzie Fowler.

Fowler (24-1) struck out 13 and added to the Dorados offense with three singles in three at-bats and a run scored.

On the mound, Fowler allowed only two hits, including a home run to Killian McEwan.

Brittany Tucker also crushed a home run over the protective fence in the fourth for the Dorados.

CDO (29-3) will likely be the No. 1 seed in the 4A-I state tournament, which starts Saturday. Sabino (21-14) is also in position to host a first round game based on the statewide power ratings.

● Desert View 2, Palo Verde 0: At Cherry Field, The Jaguars (19-10) won the Gila Region tournament behind a strong performance from Saby Romero, who struck out 12 Titans and only gave up one hit.

Jenelle Klassen took the loss for Palo Verde (13-11) but pitched well, allowing only two runs and seven hits.

● Pusch Ridge Christian 5, Winkelman Hayden 2: At Kearny Ray, Shawna Bleyl pitched a one-hitter to give Pusch Ridge its most important win of the season in a four-inning tiebreaker for first place.

Tuesday's tiebreaker determined which team would get the 2A Central Region's No. 1 seed to the state tournament, which begins with pigtail games Thursday. Bleyl's dominance locked Pusch Ridge (18-11) into the top spot.

"There were tough conditions because it started to rain, but she battled through it," Lions coach Phillip Fileccia said. "She pitched one of her best performances of the season right when we needed it."