Arizona high school baseball and softball state champions from the last 5 years

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The completion of the high school sports season always brings a twinge of reflection.

Twenty-two sports spread out over three sports seasons crowned champions. The culmination came last week with the Division I and Division II baseball and softball title games and they came with a bit of history.

The Hamilton programs became the first big-division ones to win state titles in baseball and softball in the same year. The baseball team won for the fifth time in eight appearances since 2003, but the softball program brought home the title in the Huskies' first berth into the championship game.

"We lost three games in a row about three-quarters through the season, and I told them percentages were going to catch up for us," Hamilton coach Rocky Parra said. "We peaked at the right time."

The baseball team took advantage of the defensive struggles by Mountain Ridge on the way to a 12-3 win.

"It's the best day of my life," Hamilton starter Cole Bellinger said. "We won a state championship. It's one of the greatest things you can do as a team."

Here is a look at five years of champions in each sport:

Baseball
2016 – Hamilton (Division I); Greenway (Division II); Alhambra (Division III); Apache Junction (Division IV); Pima (Division V).
2015 – Mesquite (Division I); Canyon del Oro (Division II); Northwest Christian (Division III); Desert Christian.
2014 – Hamilton (Division I); Greenway (Division II); Palo Verde; (Division III); Desert Christian (Division IV).
2013 – Desert Mountain (Division I); Notre Dame (Division II); Fountain Hills; (Division III); Desert Christian (Division IV).
2012 – Chaparral (Division I); Sunnyslope (Division II); River Valley; (Division III); St. David (Division IV).

Softball
2016 – Hamilton (Division I); Ironwood Ridge (Division II); Catalina Foothills (Division III); Pueblo (Division IV); Ray (Division V).
2015 – Sandra Day O'Connor (Division I); Cienega (Division II); Empire (Division III); Superior (Division IV).
2014 – Red Mountain (Division I); Ironwood Ridge (Division II); Winslow (Division III); San Manuel (Division IV).
2013 - Red Mountain (Division I); Sunrise Mountain (Division II); Estrella Foothills (Division III); San Manuel (Division IV).
2012 - Red Mountain (Division I); Canyon del Oro (Division II); Bourgade Catholic (Division III); Pusch Ridge (Division IV).

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Media Group, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.