Eagles
fighting to remain alive at state tourney
by
Jason Stone
DVUSD
– Sandra Day O’Connor was expecting to have its best baseball
season ever in 2006. But the Eagles are already set up for a
season to remember.
The
Eagles advanced in the consolation bracket of the 5A‑Division
II state tournament last week and played for a chance to reach
the Final Four May 9.
“I
hope the kids realize how close we are,” coach Jeff Baumgartner
said. “We’re pretty excited.”
The
Eagles shook off a 15‑4 loss to Paradise Valley in the
winner’s bracket May 2 to beat San Luis 7‑0 and Sunnyside
7‑5 in the loser’s bracket to set up a rematch with Paradise
Valley. Results of the May 9 game against P.V. were unavailable
at press time.
It
took back‑to‑back outstanding pitching performances
to put O’Connor in position for the rematch. Josh Moody pitched
a complete‑game shutout May 4 against San Luis, allowing
only six hits.
Two
days later against Sunnyside, the No. 3‑seeded team, Nick
Carrillo, who had been used as a closer all season, made his
first start of the season and went the distance in the dramatic
win.
O’Connor
led the whole way against Sunnyside before the Blue Devils rallied
to tie going into the seventh inning. Travis Lane drove in the
game‑winning run with an RBI single, then advanced to
home himself on the play thanks to a throwing error.
Carrillo
shut down Sunnyside 1‑2‑3 in the bottom of the seventh
to set off a wild celebration for O’Connor players at Tempe
Diablo Stadium.
“(Carrillo)
is one of our top two pitchers, but he’s been a little bit injured,”
Baumgartner said of the decision to start Carrillo. “We decided
to ease him along. At this point, with our backs against the
wall, we knew if we didn’t have Josh to throw, we’d go with
Nick. It was one of those things where he was our next best
pitcher and he was ready to go.”
Moody’s
performance in the previous game was masterful as he struck
out eight and finished off San Luis in only 88 pitches to improve
to 8‑4 on the season.
“He
was awesome,” Baumgartner said.
Had
O’Connor beaten Paradise Valley, it would have advanced to the
Pool B championship May 11 against No. 6‑seed Sunrise
Mountain. The Mustangs have not lost yet, so the O’Connor‑P.V.
winner would have to beat Sunrise Mountain twice.
