Julian Rosa is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus Shadows for AZPreps365.com

Red Mountain High School’s softball team continued its dominant season Monday night with a 21-1 blowout victory over Skyline High School. The Mountain Lions, now 8-0, extended their impressive streak of offensive firepower and near-flawless pitching.

Red Mountain wasted no time showing its dominance. Pitcher Kendall Cochran struck out the side in the top of the first. The Mountain Lions’ offense then scored four runs thanks to a mix of timely hits and taking advantage of Skyline's mistakes, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead.

Cochran continued to cruise in the second inning, striking out three more batters while allowing only a hit-by-pitch. Red Mountain responded with an offensive explosion, scoring 11 runs off eight hits, including a solo home run by Payton Westra. By the end of the inning, the Mountain Lions led 15-0.

“Just keeping a positive attitude,” Red Mountain assistant coach Corrin Green said when asked about maintaining momentum. “We work very hard. These girls are very talented, so just reminding them to take one pitch at a time, slowing the game down overall. We're very happy with our outcome today.”

Skyline worked a walk in the third, but Cochran remained in control, quickly retiring the next three batters. Red Mountain tacked on six more runs, extending the lead to 21-0.

Assistant coach Jordan Pedersen, in her second year with the program, credited the team's growth. 

“The kids are competing, and they figured out how to play for each other,” Pedersen said. “Any sort of differences that may or may not come up, they're just setting aside and realizing that we're all working for the same thing.”

Skyline managed to score in the fourth inning, opening with a leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly-out that led to their only run. However, Cochran quickly shut the door, recording the final two outs to seal the 21-1 victory.

Despite making multiple substitutions throughout the game, Skyline struggled to keep pace with Red Mountain’s all-around dominance. After the game, Red Mountain's coaching staff emphasized the importance of refining their play. 

“It’s hard to be upset after a win like that, but we didn’t finish the game how we wanted,” said head coach Breana Peterson after their near-flawless performance. “We played a little sloppy, so we need to tighten up some things.”

Pedersen pointed to the team’s preparation as a key factor in its success. 

“A lot of that has to do with Coach’s practice plans,” she said. “She makes sure the kids have to compete every day. Even when we're not facing another opponent, we're facing each other and just trying to get better. Our slogan is ‘Play for May,’ and they’re working for it every single day.”

The player of the game is Kendall Cochran, who dominated on the mound, tossing four innings with nine strikeouts, allowing just one hit. At the plate, she went 2-for-3 with two singles, an RBI, and a walk. This performance inches her closer to that 500 career strikeout mark.

Red Mountain remains undefeated and has outscored opponents 74-6 over its last five games. The Mountain Lions look to extend their winning streak in their next matchup against 3-3 Westwood High.

Meanwhile, Skyline, now 1-8, will aim to regroup, facing 1-7 Mesa High School next.