Prestonwood Christian Wins Thriller in 10 Innings, Advances to State Championship Game

TAPPS DIVISION 1 STATE SEMIFINAL

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10		R	H	E
Prestonwood Christian		0	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	2		6	9	3
Liberty Christian		0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	0		4	5	0

Prestonwood Christian Academy and Liberty Christian battled in a good ol’ back and forth knock-down-dragout that lasted 10 innings in the second TAPPS Division 1 State Semifinal game. But Prestonwood Christian came out on top in the end, winning 6-4. Prestonwood will now play Central Catholic for the Division State Championship at 1:00 PM on Tuesday.

After a couple of scoreless innings, Prestonwood got on the board first with a run in the top of the 3rd. With runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs Max Bachmann doubled to center field scoring Lash Henderson to give Prestonwood a 1-0 lead. They picked up a 2nd run in the top of the 4th. A walk and a Jake Felsman single put runners on 1st and 2nd. On the next batter, Liberty Christian attempted a double play and the throw to first was wide. Aiden Moffitt scored on the errant throw making it a 2-0 lead for Prestonwood,

For four innings, Landon Murphy kept the Liberty Christian offense in check. But in the bottom of the 5th Caleb Ruiz led off with a single. Courtesy Runner Quniton Brown advanced to 2nd on a Zach Drew walk. After a strikeout, Matthew Heredia single to right field scoring Brown, cutting the Prestonwood lead to 2-1. After another strikeout, Drake Hawpe singled to right scoring Drew and Heredia giving Liberty Christian their first lead of the game 3-2. They picked up an another run in the bottom of the 6th. Brady Janusek doubled and advanced to 3rd on a sac bunt. Ruiz hit a fly ball to right field that scored Janusek to give Liberty Christian a 4-2 lead.

Then things got crazy in the 7th. Prestonwood was down to their last at bat down 2 runs. Cruz Banuelas got aboard on a hit by pitch and Junior Kniffen followed with a double. Henderson singled and Banuelas scored cutting the Liberty Christian lead to 4-3.

And then the crazy happened. Trent Vilade was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bachmann was up to bat and on a 2-2 count, Bachmann got a ball and thought it was ball 4. He took off to first and everyone advanced a base including Kniffen who went home. Everyone seemed to think it was ball 4 but that was challenged. A look at the official books showed it was 3-2 on the last ball. They called Bachmann back to the plate to finish his at bat. But they counted the run and allowed everyone to stay on their advanced base since it was a live ball on the 3-2 pitch. The game was now tied at 4-4. Relief pitcher Hogan Nelson then struck out Bachmann and the following batter and the game headed to the bottom of the 7th tied up.

Liberty Christian had a crazy moment of their own in the bottom of the 7th. Heredia led off the inning with a walk. With the winning run on base Nelson hit a deep fly ball to right center that looked like it could score Heredia. But right fielder Braylon White caught up with the ball and made the catch. Heredia stopped 2/3 of the way to second base to wait and see if it was caught and Nelson passed Heredia on the base paths before the catch was made. Heredia was called out as well. Relief Pitcher CJ Le Bouef then got a ground out to end the inning and send the game into extra innings.

The game remained tied until the 10th inning. With one out, Moffitt walked and was bunted over to 2nd. With two outs and the go ahead run on base, Buenelas hit a line drive double to right field that scored Moffitt. Kniffen followed up with a single that scored Buenelas and Prestonwood took a 6-4 lead.

Nick Perkins pitched the 10th inning for Prestonwood. He gave up a walk to start the inning putting the tying run at the plate. But he got a pop out and 2 strikeouts to end the inning and give Prestonwood the victory.

Cruz Banuelas was named the THSB MVP player of the game for his game winning RBI and for his outstanding defensive play.