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Douglas McPeak throws a pitch vs. Superior in last Friday’s quarterfinal game.
Ron Hiller | Submitted
Ray’s Jordan Pace had the game-winning hit against PRCA in the semi-finals to advance the Bearcats to the state championship game. Ron Hiller | Submitted
Copper Basin News
After a sound victory versus 10th-seeded Superior last Friday and a come-from-behind 5 – 4 win against third-seed Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, the second-seeded Ray baseball team will play for the Division IV State Championship on Saturday, May 16, at the Maryvale Baseball Stadium.
The Cats will face top-seeded Desert Christian at 7 p.m.
Jordan Pace hit a two-out walkoff double to drive in the winning run, capping off a two-run seventh inning to lead the Bearcats to Saturday’s championship game.
After trailing 4 – 1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cats scored two runs to pull within one, setting up Pace’s heroics in the seventh.
Senior Seth Harmon tied the game with an RBI sacrifice fly before Pace hit the game winner.
The Cats pounded out 10 hits against the Lions, including two each by Pace and Robbin Newman. Pace also had three RBI.
Pace was also the starting pitcher, going four-and-a-third and allowing two earned runs on seven hits. He struck out two and walked one.
Senior Destry Yocum came on in relief and allowed only one run, giving his team a chance to come back.
They did and now they’ll face No. 1 Desert Christian, a team they lost to on April 14, 8 – 0.
Cats’ head coach announced there will be send-off for his team at the school at noon on Saturday. All fans are encouraged to come out and show that Bearcat spirit! A booster bus will be provided to go to the State Championship game on Saturday, May 16, at the Maryvale Baseball Stadium, 3600 N. 31st Ave. in Phoenix. Entrance fee at the stadium is $10 adults and $6 students. DON’T FORGET TO WEAR YOUR MAROON!
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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