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Sahuaro junior Logan Hall has an aura about her that some could categorize as cockiness.

Others simply would say she is really good, and she knows it.

That confidence allowed Hall to start a seventh-inning rally and score the winning run for Sahuaro in a 3-2 triumph over visiting Phoenix Pinnacle.

The gritty first-round win in the Class 4A-I state tournament ended Sahuaro's two-game losing streak, helping relieve some concern the Cougars were unfit for the postseason.

"We came through when we needed to," coach Steve Sanchez said. "There were 52 teams when the season started, eight are left, and we're one of them."

Sahuaro, the No. 4 seed, rallied to tie the game at 2 in the fifth inning after Hall walked to lead off and scored three batters later on a scoring error.

It was an ominous sign for No. 13 Pinnacle (13-18-2). The Pioneers stranded the go-ahead run on third base in the top of the seventh. Sahuaro pitcher Kira White got her 14th strikeout of the game to end the threat, setting the stage for Hall again.

She started the bottom of the inning with a line-drive single to center field on the first pitch from Kelsey Carter. Kayla Basye walked in the next at-bat, moving Hall into scoring position.

Sanchez called for a bunt from Rebecca Mullin to advance the runners, but Hall had more in mind.

"When she laid the bunt down, I was already thinking about scoring," Hall said. "I know I'm very quick, and I knew that if I got a good jump and the fielders made a mistake, I'd be the one scoring the winning run. It was time to step up."

Mullin's bunt seemed to surprise the Pinnacle defense. Third baseman Breanna Hackworth rushed her throw to first base, and second baseman Ashlynn Thompson — covering first on the play — was not set at the bag.

The ball deflected off Thompson's glove and into right field, allowing Hall to score with ease.

Sahuaro (22-7-1) plays in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Glendale Cactus at Rose Mofford Softball Complex in Phoenix.

● Sabino 5, Goodyear Millennium 0: At Sabino, the host Sabercats settled down after a few early mistakes to earn a first-round shutout.

Sixth-seeded Sabino (22-14) overcame four errors to advance to Tuesday's quarterfinal against the winner of Phoenix Greenway and Glendale Kellis at Rose Mofford Complex in Phoenix at 6:30 p.m.

The Sabercats scored quickly on No. 11 Millennium (18-10). Leadoff hitter Karissa Buchanan started the bottom of the first inning with a single and then stole second base. She later scored on a sacrifice fly by Chelsea Evanoff.

"We set the tone early with getting 'Speedy' (Buchanan) on base and stealing," said Sabino coach Galen Paton. "She's good, and as she goes, we go."

With a 2-0 lead in the third inning, senior catcher Emma Dunlap topped off the scoring with a three-run home run. It helped erase the concerns caused by the early defensive miscues.

"Our heads weren't in it at first," said Dunlap, "but we calmed down and got into the game. It's what we needed to do."

Sabino advanced to the state quarterfinals for the fourth straight year. Paton said he expects his team to continue to do well if its hitting stays consistent.

"We started off the season poorly, but we've played a lot of tough teams and we've been battle tested," said Paton, whose team won the 4A state title in 2005. "We've learned something from each team we've played and it has steeled us.

"We're not going to run scared."