Not all facets of their game were intact  Tuesday afternoon. But Ironwood Ridge wasn't disappoiinted with its opener in the 15th annual Desert Mountain Wolves Softball Invitational at Horizon Park.

That opener resulted in a 6-1 victory over Chandler. Senior pitcher Makayla McAdams dominated with six shutout innings before Chandler nicked her for a run on three hits in the seventh. McAdams, who is headed to New Mexico State, struck out eight and did not walk a batter. McAdams had a no-hitter until Kalli Ohton ripped a solid single to left with one out in the fifth.

"I liked the pitching and defense the most," Ironwood Ridge coach Randy Anway said. "We didn't swing the bats the way I'd like to see, but I think we'll get that fixed."

Ironwood Ridge (10-3), which was the 5A-II runner-up to Deer Valley last seasons, collected 10 hits in the game.  The Nighthawks bunted well and used some suspect fielding and miscommunication by Chandler to its benefit.

Leading the way offensively for Ironwood Ridge was right fielder Alexis Clinton. Clinton was 3-for-3 with a bunt single that helped ignite a three-run second. She also singled sharply to right and added a hustle double when three Chandler players converged but none made an attempt on her pop up to short left field. Clinton scored two runs.

More impressive to Clinton's day at the dish was her defense. She made back-to-back plays there in the fourth inning. The first was a long run into foul territory to make a a grab near the fence. An out later she raced to her right to haul in a long fly to the gap in right center, robbing Chandler's Jordan Blakesley of an extra-base hit.

"Those were outstanding plays," Anway said. "She showed a lot of range and hustle.... We use these tournaments to help us figure some things out. We're trying to find a balance with hitting and defense. Don't get me wrong, we still want to win. But this gives us a chance to look at things that can make us better going forward."

Also contributing offensively for Ironwood Ridge was Jordan Rocker with a pair of singles and three RB, Robin Landrith with an RBI double and Robyn Porter with two runs scored. Ironwood Ridge opened the season winning the Dorado Classic, hosted by Canyon del Oro, in late February

Chandler (8-4-1) which hadn't played since March 9, put together three hits in the seventh. Ohton's second hit of the game drove in the Wolves' lone run.

Ironwood Ridge and Chandler each played another game in the tournament later Tuesday. Ironwood Ridge followed up its initial victory with a 9-0 whitewashing of Saguaro. Chandler rallied with four runs in the bottom of the seventh to edge Poston Butte, 5-4, Jordan Blakesley walloped a walk-off two-run homer to win it.