Mesa High softball coach Mike Madril is completing his fourth season as Jackrabbits coach. It was only in his first year at that post -- 2009 -- that Mesa sniffed a spot in the postseason.

Well, another opportunity came Mesa's way Wednesday night  to seize a playoff berth. And although it was an extra half hour in coming because of a delay in getting the lights turned on.......

"It's been worth the wait," Madril said a few minutes after Mesa delivered an 11-1, five-inning win over Boulder Creek on Senior Night at Mesa High. "This team has been adamant about getting to the tournament,. It looks like we're there now."

Mesa, which was at No. 26 when Wednesday began, sits at the No. 22 seed with one result yet to be reported before Thursday's 7 p.m. deadline. The Jackrabbits unleashed a 15-hit attack after spotting Boulder Creek a 1-0 lead in the first.

Eight of Mesa's starters had at least one hit. Freshman Alicia Schomaker collected four RBIs and got Mesa started with a leadoff homer -- her first of the season - in the second inning to tie the game.

Mesa scored 10 runs on 13 hits between the third and fifth innings. The Jackrabbits ended it on pitcher Sierra Whitmer's two-run single. Sierra Whitmer had three hits, and of course as she usually does, did the work in the circle.

"Sierra is the one we ride," Madril said. "We had a game earlier in the year that she was sick and couldn't pitch. We miss her when she's not there."

Sierra Whitmer allowed four hits and fanned five. She fielded her position, too, with half a dozen assists and/or putouts. Twin sister and shortstop Aubrey Whitmer, had a memorable regular-season finale as well. Aubrey Whitmer  threw a runner out at home to limit Boulder Creek to a run in the first. She had two hits and reached base four times, scoring three times. Another senior, catcher Melissa Milligan, chipped in with two ringing doubles and drove in two runs.

Madril was pleased for his seniors and the program since they had to win their final four games to qualify. He especially the way Schomaker got Mesa untracked with her homer and who she has taken to as offensive role models.

"Alicia's been talking about wanting to hit like the Whitmers do," Madril said. "I have no problem with that. Not after seeing what they've done the last four years."

Mesa will be on the road in the first round of state that begins on Saturday (April 28)  at 11 a.m. It  won't know officially who its opponent is until Thursday.