It was a long day with a whirlwind of emotions for Walden Grove's Andrew Kouris.
The senior outfielder had a bunt attempt go straight into his lip, busting it wide open during the semifinal game in the Panther Invitational at Amphitheater on Saturday.
Kouris was bloodied and upset that he may not be able to play in the championship game. He waited in the doctor's office in between games and after five quick stitches, the adrenaline was flowing for the title game.
Kouris finished 3 for 4 with three singles, two runs and two RBIs as the Red Wolves outlasted El Paso Socorro 7-6 in nine innings to be crowned the champions.
“It was going bad when I got hit in the mouth and I got upset because I didn't think I would be able to play,” Kouris said. “I ended up getting in the doctors fast, getting to play and I was just excited. I felt good, for the first couple of games I wasn't coming through, so it was a big positive to come through in this game.”
Leading 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs quickly loaded the bases and tied the game after a two-run double. In the next frame the Red Wolves, who were last season's Division III state runner-up, had an opportunity to take the lead, but two base running miscues resulted in the first out of the inning being made at third base, and another runner was thrown out a home trying to score the go-ahead run.
Walden Grove sophomore Gabriel Estrada knocked home the game-winning run with an RBI single to left field in the top of the ninth.
Junior pitcher Cesar Garcia came in for the game's final six outs and tossed darts, recording three strikeouts in the process.
Walden Grove coach Rene Valdez was happy to see his team hang tough and fight in extra innings after they got knocked around earlier in the game.
“They got a lot of heart, that's for darn sure,” Valdez said. “I think that's something every coach wants to find out and I think its great to be able to see how they handle this kind of pressure early on in the season. It's setting the standard for us.”
Valdez emptied the bench and used all 17 Red Wolves in the extra-inning contest, which he believes showcased just how valuable each player is to the success the team can experience this season.
“I think it's amazing that we went through our whole bench today," Valdez said. "Everybody had a part and responsibility to get this win today. In a situation like this, it shows us what we're dealing with. It shows what we're made of and what we can do this season. This showed how much we actually need each other.”
