Basha Softball Upsets Nationally Ranked Pinnacle

Basha started their 2025 campaign with a bang yesterday, knocking off Pinnacle, the number 22 team in the nation. Basha is usually a very competitive softball team, but Pinnacle was considered one of the favorites to win it all this year. Basha showed that they can not only hang in with the big dogs, but they can beat them as well, defeating the Pioneers 11-10.

RECAP

Basha got the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Pinnacle quickly responded in the third with a 4 run flurry, putting them up 4-1. Pinnacle would then outscore Basha 2-1, and score 4 in the fourth and fifth respectively. Pinnacle was hitting Basha around until Matti Collins came into the game, shutting the Pioneers down with devastating pitches, striking out three out of the five batters she faced. Basha would then rally in the bottom of the sixth, scoring 3 runs to win the game 11-10. Makaila Quinney drove in the winning run, capping off a fantastic 3-4 day with 6 RBIs and a homer. Basha also got runs off the bats of Addy Kimberlin and Morgan Bragg. Aniyah Jaiman led the way with 3 runs scored, along with Liv O’Neil with 1, Grace McNulty with 2, Addy Kimberlin with 2, Aaliyah Bribiescas with 1, and Makaila Quinney with 2. Basha had a well balanced scoring attack and showed resilience on the mound with Collins who was nails, preventing the Pioneers from scoring any further. 

IMPACT

Basha showed there are still remnants of a championship culture left from their 2023 title run. The Bears started off with a big win against Campo Verde, and then one of the biggest wins in program history, knocking off a nationally ranked team to open the season. Basha is a very young team and they have a lot of talent in that young core. Basha needs to capitalize on the years they have with this core headlined by Bragg, Jaiman, and Quinney. Matti Collins showed she is a clutch pitcher in tough situations, mowing down 5 batters for 5 crucial outs. Basha introduced themselves as one of the favorites in 6A in this one and showed they should not be doubted. The only flaw the Bears seem to have is pitching, allowing 15 runs in two games, but that can be worked on however as the early season nerves settle down.