But they've learned from it.

With a four-run lead, the Hawks didn't get too comfortable in Jordan's final plate appearance and won 4-0 on the road to capture the final playoff spot in Region 2 - as the Beetdiggers missed the postseason for the first time in school history.

"We wanted to get back what we deserved," said Alta pitcher Jamie Burnside, who got out of three major jams, including in the final inning when the Beetdiggers (5-5, 7-14 overall) had two runners on.

Burnside was one of the happiest to earn the win, which also sent the Hawks (6-4, 8-9-1) to their 18th consecutive state tournament. The junior was the one who threw on April 21, when the Hawks had a 5-1 advantage before Jordan's final at-bat, but allowed seven runs to lose 8-5.

So Burnside wanted to get back at the Beetdiggers, badly - though her attempt at revenge was postponed from Wednesday to Thursday because of rain. The Hawks had a 1-0 lead before the game resumed in the bottom of the first. Burnside had her chance at redemption in the seventh on Thursday, with Alta up 4-0.

"Before the inning started," Alta coach Tiffany Airmet said, "I talked to Jamie and just said, 'This time, let's go out, stay in control and win this game.' And that's what she did. I'm really proud of her. She kept it in control."

Burnside even ended the game with a strikeout, her sixth of the day.

The Beetdiggers had an opportunity to score in the first, but Amber Jenson was thrown out at the plate, as was Lindsey DeGues in the following frame.

But the Hawks capitalized on their chances.

In the fifth, they scored two runs and three hits - highlighted by Collette Crystal stealing home and Megan HoChing pounding out an RBI single to center field.

"If you don't take advantage of opportunities," Jordan coach John Lundstrom said, "somebody else will and your season will end."

Alta and Brighton are tied for the second seed and will have a coin-flip today for home field in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament that starts Tuesday.

csun@sltrib.com