After trailing 6-1 midway through the second inning, No. 8 seed Flagstaff softball pulled out a miraculous comeback victory against the No. 9 Crismon Rattlers to win 12-11 in the first round of the 4A Conference state playoffs on Saturday at RJ Baca Field.
The Eagles began their comeback with a five-run bottom of the second to tie the game and turn the contested postseason matchup into a back-and-forth frenzy. After Crismon retook the lead at the top of the sixth, Flagstaff matched with three runs of its own to lead 12-10 heading into the seventh. The lead was just enough for the Eagles to win in the first round for the fourth straight year.
Flagstaff’s Molly Speer (7) slides safely into third base during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
Flagstaff’s Cailee Culwell (15) celebrates with her teammates after hitting a home run during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
Flagstaff’s Cayleigh Begay (14) catches a pop fly in the infield during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
Gallery: FHS vs Crismon first-round playoff softball game
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Cailee Culwell (15) celebrates with her teammates after hitting a home run during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Logan Clark (8) connects with a pitch during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Ryleigh Alex (11) records an out at first base during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Mia Garcia (3) winds up to throw a pitch during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff catcher Sophia Garcia (2) leaps to make a catch at home plate during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Cayleigh Begay (14) catches a pop fly in the infield during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Molly Speer (7) slides safely into third base during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
FHS vs Crismon Softball
May 2, 2026
Flagstaff’s Lucy Lanssens (6) swings at a pitch during a first-round playoff game against Crismon on Saturday at Flagstaff High School.
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