Vista Grande can afford slow starts offensively with the performances the Spartans are receiving from pitcher Alyssa Tinnin.

Vista Grande traded zeroes for three innings Friday afternoon with host Apache Junction and was hitless in that span. No need to panic with Tinnin in the circle.

Tinnin recorded her fifth win in as many starts and notched her fourth successive shutout as the Spartans topped the Prospectors, 9-0, in a 4A Black Canyon Region softball game.

Vista Grande, Poston Butte and Apache Junction will rule the upper half of the region this season based on early results. Vista Grande is 5-0, 3-0 region. Poston Butte (5-0, 4-0) and Apache Junction (6-3, 4-1). Vista Grande began the day ranked No. 7 in the 4A power rankings and were one of seven unbeaten teams in the conference.

Tinnin, a junior, tossed a one-hitter. She struck out nine and didn't walk a batter. For the year she's allowed eight hits, walked five and struck out 53 in 32 innings. Her earned-run averaged (one earned run allowed) is 0.22. Tinnin helped herself with two hits and four RBI.

"We've had a tendency to start kind of slow in games hitting," Vista Grande coach Ray Valenzuela said. "Once we get our timing down, we start scoring some runs. We play good defense, too. It's nice to have (Alyssa) on the mound. We're always going to be in the game with her pitching."

Apache Junction senior Tristen Greer matched her pitching counterpart until the fourth. Vista Grande scored four runs in the fourth for a 4-0 lead, collecting four hits and taking advantage of two errors. Tinnin drove in the first run with single and battery mate Illeana Cosillos followed with the same. Bri Jorgensen added an RBI ground out and the fourth run scored on an outfield error.

Defensive woes tortured AJ in the fifth as Vista Grande broke it open with four more runs. A dropped infield pop up and two misplayed flies contributed heavily to the rally. The key hit was a two-run double off the fence in right-center by Tinnin.

"The first four innings we were right in there," Apache Junction coach Ed Matlosz said. "We battled, but let down in the fifth on defense. You can see with them they play relaxed with as good as their pitcher and defense are. They took away our bunting game. We make a better show if we make the plays we've made before today."

Tinnin, Cosillos and Jazzy Joaquin had two hits apiece. Tinnin and Cosillos combined for six RBI. Teammate Amyah Boostedt reached base three times with a single and was hit by pitches twice. Anissa Rivera had Apache Junction's hit - an infield single in the second.

Vista Grande playsagain on Saturday hosting St. Mary's. Apache Junction's next game is Tuesday April 13 with a rematch at Vista Grande.