Photos: Tanque Verde rumbles by Empire 9-2 in state 3A semifinals
The Hawks came out on top in a battle of SOAZ softball heavyweights, advancing to the state championship game with a 9-2 win over Empire, May 8, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Tanque Verde's Mikaela Jackson (19) beats the throw to Empire's catcher Kapri Tiggas (20), scoring the Hawks third run on a single in the third inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026. Tanque Verde advanced to the championship game with a 9-2 win.
Tanque Verde shortstop Sara Hoagland (8) puts the tag on Empire's Lainey Kroeger (1) on her steal attempt in the first inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde starter Claire Achilles cranks up a throw against Empire in the second inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, May 8, 2026. Achilles went the distance in the Hawks’ 9-2 win.
Tanque Verde's Emily Ryan (7) celebrates at second as teammate Remi Johnson (25) beat out a bunt and loaded the bases in the fifth inning against Empire during their 3A state semifinal at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's Mikaela Jackson (19) misses the handle charging from third on a bunt by Empire's Darby Smalligan (99) in the second inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's second baseman Cazlynn Darling (11) fights the late afternoon sun to grab a pop-up by Tanque Verde's Sara Hoagland (8) in the third inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's third baseman Mikaela Jackson (19) holds on to retire Empire's Kapri Tiggas (20) on a pop-up during the third inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's Nya Burton (00) yells into the Raven dugout after lofting a double into left field in the second inning of the 3A state semifinals against Tanque Verde at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's Emily Ryan (7) gorfs a single off the end of her bat during the fifth inning against Empire Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's Cazlynn Darling (11) grabs a slash in the hole but couldn’t nail the Tanque Verde runner to second during in the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
The throw to second eludes Empire shortstop Lainey Kroeger (1) allowing Tanque Verde's Remi Johnson (25) to advance on a fielder’s choice during the state 3A semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's shortstop Sara Hoagland (8) gets a hopper to retire an Empire runner at second in the fifth inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's Lainey Kroeger (1) dives home in a cloud of dirt, scoring all the way from second when the throw back to the Tanque Verde pitcher went well awry in the fifth inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's shortstop Sara Hoagland (8) barehands a slow chopper from Empire's Kapri Tiggas (20) for a bang-bang out in the fifth inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde's Remi Johnson (25) charges in from left field to make a diving grab on a dying looper from Empire's Mia Garcia (7) in the sixth inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde second baseman Gabby Fukunaga (1) lines up a ground by Empire's Cazlynn Darling (11) to retire the Ravens in the sixth inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's second baseman Cazlynn Darling (11) takes in a hopper by Tanque Verde's Emma McClanahan (14) for a fielder’s choice at second in the seventh inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire shortstop Lainey Kroeger (1) just gets the throw to nip Tanque Verde's Julia Pratt (11) at second on a ground ball fielder’s choice in the seventh inning of the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Empire's starter Vanessa Grijalva (4) hurls a pitch in the second inning against Tanque Verde, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Tanque Verde players a staff gather for a celebratory selfie following the Hawks’s 9-2 win over Empire in the 3A state semifinals at Flowing Wells High School, Tucson, Ariz., May 8, 2026.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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