There were two things on the line between Salpointe Catholic and Canyon del Oro Monday night: The season series and — more importantly — the Class 4A state baseball championship.
The fourth-seeded Dorados in the all-Tucson title game under the lights at Hi Corbett Field, rallying back from a three-run deficit to edge the third-seeded Lancers 7-6. CDO catcher Ernie Alvarez sealed the victory by blocking a pitch in the dirt, then throwing out the would-be tying runner as he tried to steal third base for the final out of the game.
(tncms-inline)1526434624167026689[0](/tncms-inline)
The Dorados now have nine state titles in program history.
“Both teams were out of gas with their arms. It was just a matter of who was going to survive. Our kids just fought and battled,” said CDO coach and former Arizona Wildcat Jason Hisey. “They believed the whole way.”
Following a leadoff single by Salpointe Catholic right fielder Jose Simon and a hit by senior first baseman Omar Monreal in the bottom of the second inning, junior Conner Raetzman put the Lancers ahead 1-0 with an RBI single. A sacrifice fly by junior Roman Basurto brought in Monreal for the second run of the game.
Michael Jones of Canyon del Oro slides safely into second base after the ball gets away from Mason White of Salpointe in Monday's Class 4A state title game at Hi Corbett Field.
Salpointe Catholic standout Mason White’s single to right field put runners on corners for the Lancers, but CDO senior pitcher Dominic Felix struck out two in a row to end the third inning; a previous balk put the Lancers ahead 3-0.
“(We wanted) to just keep our heads up,” said CDO star Austin Madsen said. “We kept the team’s head in the game and were ready to go. We were never down.”
CDO’s offense came alive in the fourth inning, when the Dorados scored two runs. An RBI single by Lucas Casey brought in Sam Martinez, and a walk with the bases loaded allowed Chase Tackett to score another run. Lancers coach Danny Preble visited starting pitcher Robert Lopez, a Pima College signee, and the inning ended with a popout.
That was just the beginning of the Dorados’ scoring avalanche.
Madsen blasted a 380-foot solo home run to left field in the sixth.
“I got a hold of it and thought there’d be a shot,” Madsen said. “Once I saw the left fielder turn around and look at it, that’s when I knew it was gone. … That’s crazy. I was never a home-run hitter. That was insane for me. Insane.”
Hisey said “the momentum shifted during Madsen’s home run.”
With Max Smith relief pitching, CDO’s Michael Jones’ hit hugged the first-base foul line in right field, which was followed up by Jacob Charlson hitting a single on a Salpointe Catholic error. A bloop hit by Alvarez scored Jones. CDO’s Chris Humphreys scored from third base after a wild pitch, giving the Dorados a 7-3 advantage.
Omar Monreal of Salpointe slides safely past the outreached tag of Canyon del Oro catcher Ernie Alvarez in Monday’s Class 4A state championship baseball game.
Salpointe ralled for three runs in the seventh inning. White’s RBI single and Monreal’s RBI double moved the Lancers to within a run of tying the game with two out. But Alvarez threw out Monreal as he tried to steal third on a ball in the dirt, and the Dorados’ celebration was on.
Hisey was doused in water to celebrate CDO’s victory, and the Dorados dogpiled in the infield for their first state championship since 2015.
“Sweet, sweet victory right there,” said Madsen. “That’s insane. We split the series in the regular season, but taking this one felt good.”
Photos: CDO vs. Salpointe in Class 4A State Baseball Championship
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Austin Madsen (12) of Canyon del Oro is mobbed by teammates after a solo home run against Salpointe Catholic in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
CDO players charge pitcher Blake Lehmbeck after they won the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Canyon del Oro players jump into a dog pile after escaping the 7th inning to win the 4A state championship, 7-6, over Salpointe Catholic at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Ernie Alvarez of Canyon del Oro slides into second as Salpointe's Jaxson Greene tags and throws on a double play in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Salpointe pitcher Max Smith in relief in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Rightfielder Jose Simon of Salpointe Catholic makes a running catch in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Canyon del Oro fans were in force in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Canyon del Oro outfielder Austin Madsen makes a diving catch in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
CDO's Blake Lehmbeck snags a pickoff throw as Conner Raetzman of Salpointe dives back to first base in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Jacob Charlson of Canyon del Oro slides safely under the tag of Salpointe's Mauro Acuna at third base in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Blake Lehmbeck of Canyon del Oro at bat vs. Salpointe Catholic in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Michael Jones of Canyon del Oro slides safely into second after the ball got away from Mason White of Salpointe in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Omar Monreal of Salpointe slides safely past the outreached tag of Canyon del Oro catcher Ernie Alvarez in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
Canyon del Oro vs. Salpointe Catholic, baseball
Updated
Omar Monreal of Salpointe after driving in two runs in the 7th to close within 1 of Canyon del Oro in the Class 4A state championship baseball game at Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, on May 16, 2022.
