The Phoenix College Bears kept their postseason run alive in dominant fashion on Friday, defeating Scottsdale Community College 8-0 in five innings at the NJCAA Region I Division II Tournament hosted by Pima Community College.

The win was also a historic one for Phoenix College Head Coach Heinz Mueller, who earned his 1,700th career victory during his tenure with the Bears from 1991-2026. Coach Mueller is currently the winningest active coach in the NJCAA and has built one of the premier junior college softball programs in the country.

Phoenix College wasted no time taking control against the fourth-seeded Fighting Artichokes. The Bears scored in four straight innings and finished with 11 hits while holding Scottsdale to just one hit all game.

Sophomore Aubree Lovo was outstanding in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout. Lovo allowed only one hit while striking out five batters in five innings of work to improve to 13-5 on the season.

At the plate, several Bears had big performances. Gianna Baca went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Eva Issitt finished 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs. Taylor Borup added a home run as part of a 2-for-3 day, and Olivia Deford and Katelyn Larney each drove in runs as well.

Phoenix College improved to 38-12 overall and advanced in the double-elimination bracket after dropping their opening-round matchup to South Mountain Community College on Thursday.

The Bears will now get another shot at the Cougars after South Mountain fell to top-seeded Pima Community College. The winner of the rematch between Phoenix College and South Mountain will advance to the Region I Championship game with a chance to play for the conference title.

The postseason run continues, but Friday belonged to Coach Heinz Mueller and a milestone that reflects decades of excellence at Phoenix College.