No. 1 Queen Creek's softball team felt good vibrations from the get-go Thursday night.

A two-run, first inning was the Bulldogs only offense, but proved enough for a 2-1 triumph over No. 6 Pinnacle in a 6A semifinal game at Mesa High School.

Queen Creek improved to 27-6 and has the opportunity to avenge its state-title loss last season to Xavier Prep. Xavier Prep earned its spot in the title game on Thursday with a 2-0 victory over No. 10 Sandra Day O'Conner on an adjacent field at Mesa High. The championship game is set for 8 p.m. on Monday at ASU's Farrington Softball Stadium.

The standouts for Queen Creek, who field a very young lineup, were two sophomores - pitcher Aubrey Chavez and leadoff hitter Emma Reynolds and freshman centerfielder Tayla Falquez. Chavez allowed four hits, walked one and struck out five in going the distance. She escaped a jam in the seventh after giving up back-to-back singles with one out. The game ended thanks to a double play off the bat of Iliana Brasher that Chavez fielded and started a 1-5 twin killing.

Chavez received the offense needed quickly. Reynolds crushed a home run to straight-away centerfield in the first inning for a 1-0 lead against Pinnacle's Kodi Crabtree. Queen Creek's second run was driven in by Falquez, a two-out double to right field. There were no more threats posted by Queen Creek the rest of the game, but Chavez made sure two runs were enough.

Crabtree was outstanding in taking the loss. The senior right-hander allowed four hits, walked three and fanned 12. Pinnacle finished the season 17-7-1.

Queen Creek coach Ann Pierson was glad to see her team score early, especially since the Bulldogs were blanked the rest of the game.

"I never feel like a lead is safe, especially against a team like Pinnacle," Pierson said. I was proud of our kids making changes at the plate and so proud of Aubrey and how she pitched."

XAVIER PREP 2, O'CONNOR 0

The Gators Sydney Root pitched a three-hit shutout and and helped on offense with an RBI single in topping the Eagles in the other 6A semifinal. 

Root walked two and struck out eight and delivered offensviely with an RBI double in the sixth inning for an insurance run. O'Connor senior pitcher Rachel Davis took the loss. Davis allowed five hits, walked two and struck out nine. She also had two of her team's three hits. Xavier improved to 23-5-4 and O'Connor closed its season at 22-11.