In a game that ended 7-4, it was hard to believe this contest began as a pitchers duel. But that is exactly how Paradise Valley’s senior night started. Senior Aaron Powell got the start for Paradise Valley. He started off hot, three up and three down. Meanwhile Desert Mountain gave senior Toby Haarer the nod. Haarer struck out two batters to get out of the first.

Haarer and Powell were both strong at shutting down the opposing hitters. Despite the lack of offensive action early, the crowd was lively and supportive for both sides. The energy was felt early, and carried throughout the night. 

Haarer was pulled after three scoreless innings due to pitch count and playoff preparation, leaving Mike Kasianko to take his place. The Trojan’s half of the fourth was limited to a single from Andrew Faherty. Powell took the mound again and got through the top of the fifth.

Two errors from the Wolves gave way to two base runners for the Trojans. Then came an RBI single from Chris, followed by an RBI triple for Jared Swarbrick, and an RBI single from Yaider Ortiz. All of these hits came consecutively. The Trojans led 3-0.

Powell started the top of the six with an out. He allowed a walk in the following at-bat. Then Powell’s night was over. The crowd gave a standing ovation. And all of his teammates from the dugout emerged to greet him. Junior Ben Richards took his place, and got a double play to end the the top half of the inning.

Desert Mountain put in James Hunter in place of Kasianko. The Trojan offense put up one more in the bottom of the sixth. The Wolves were down to their final three outs.

Richards continued to pitch, starting strong with a strikeout. But then Paradise Valley’s defense struggled. An initial error, and an RBI single got Desert Mountain their first run. Then came a walk, followed by an out. Back-to-back errors on ground balls allowed the Wolves to tie it at four a piece.

The Trojan offense didn’t muster any runs in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a lively curveball from Hunter. It was time for extra innings.

“I've been working on (my curveball) for a while, so I just try to trust what I've worked on, and go out there and ball and have fun,” said Hunter.

Desert Moutain’s Drew Kasianko stood at the plate with two outs and runners in scoring position. He picked his pitch and lined a ground ball up the third base line into left field. Drew knocked in the go-ahead run. 

“I knew there were two outs. I just had to keep my calm, keep my composure and not try to be a hero. I didn't try doing anything too big. Just needed to get that run across. And that's what I did,” said Drew.

The Wolves continued to rally with two outs again, finishing the top of the eighth with three runs. Desert Mountain was in front, 7-4. This was the Trojan offense’s absolute last chance. And Hunter remained in to seal it.

“I have a lot of trust in my guys. I like to think I teach them well,” Desert Mountain assistant coach Danny Patterson said.

The confidence in his pitcher paid off, as Hunter escaped the inning without allowing a run, and sealing an unexpected comeback from Desert Mountain.