An opponent’s walk-off homer is never an ideal way to lose a game.

It might be a little tougher to stomach when the walk-off homer propels the winner to the semi-final round of the state tournament. That’s where the third ranked Wilcox Cowgirls (19-6) were catapulted by a Hope Lee walk-off homer in the seventh inning May 4, defeating the Paradise Honors Panthers 6-3.

The Surprise charter school lost in the same round of the 2A playoffs during its 2017 campaign.

The sixth-ranked Panthers (16-6), a young team that only fielded three seniors in pitcher Katie Hatcher, outfielder, Alyssa Anderson, and outfielder Christine McMullen, gave the Cowgirls everything they could handle early. With Hatcher in the circle, the Paradise Honors kept the Cowgirls scoreless through five innings going up 3-0 - not so simple feat considering that Wilcox won its first-round matchup by a 15-run margin.

"That’s the best game she ever pitched hands down. She really hammered the zone, moved the ball around well and went after their best hitters but their best hitter just got her in the end," said Panthers head coach Paul Hatcher when asked about his pitcher and daughter’s play.

However, playing as a collective is what enabled the Panthers to shut out the Cowgirls through five. The three runs earned by three different batters - Cassidy Martyn, Katie Hatcher, and Alyssa Anderson.

"We’re fourteen links in a chain and there’s no one more important than the other. All fourteen contributed this season and they were all terrific," coach Hatcher said.

After five innings played, however, Paradise Honors’ scoring would end and Wilcox’s began.

In the bottom of the sixth, with Hatcher in the circle the Panthers committed an error at third base enabling a Cowgirls batter to take first. That play that began to slightly shift momentum in the Southern Arizona school’s favor

Ensuing at bats continued moving runners around the diamond and the Cowgirls capitalized ending the inning down 3-1.

Wilcox’ senior pitcher Amber Leksell, made quick work of the Panthers batters in the top of the seventh, forcing three quick outs. The Cowgirls then began an offensive surge when their second at bat of the inning resulted in a Topanga Alexander triple putting another run on the board.

Alexander was brought in on the next at bat, tying the ball game 3-3. With their bats warming up, the Cowgirls quickly put runners on first and second.

Hatcher dug in getting the next two outs before meeting Hope Lee at the plate. And Lee, in momentous fashion, homered over the center field fence.

"You have to give Wilcox credit. They get all the credit in the world. We played great they just played better," coach Hatcher said.

Paradise Honors will be moving up to 3A next year and will hope to improve on the success they’ve had in 2A.