Jorge Montiel is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chaparral High School for AZPreps365.com. 

In a classic situation with two on and two out in the last inning, it was all on the line for the Chaparral Firebirds baseball team  and their relief pitcher James Rule. 

Rule was asked to get the final out of the game by Head Coach Troy Gerlach. 

On just three straight pitches he acquired the out and ensured his team a spot in the finals of the Boras Classic with a 3-2 electrifying win that sent the viewers into a frenzy. 

It was not an easy decision for Gerlach to choose a player, but he trusted Rule to get the job done and he did.

 He chose well because Rule knew how to handle the big situation by making it smaller in his psyche.

 “When he told me to get ready I went to the bullpen and told myself it is just about throwing strikes and that's all you can do,” said Rule. 

It was a special moment for Rule because he is the one that ensured the outcome of the game and got his guys to the finals. 

“It was super special because I am new to pitching, I haven’t done it that long so to come through was really cool,” said Rule.

Rule might have been the one to put that final nail in the coffin of the Casteel team but Reece Van Devander and Hudson Sinik set that opportunity up for him.

Van Devander, a slugging outfielder, had hit two RBI singles. 

One to tie the game in the first inning and the other to put his team ahead 3-2 in the 5th.

The go ahead run would be crucial as it would hold for the rest of the game. 

Much like Rule, Devander’s approach to a big moment was simple yet effective.

“I was thinking just get the ball in the outfield even if it wasn’t a hit I could still get the lead runner to 3rd and let the guys behind me do their job and get a run on the board,” said Devander. 

Sinik the left handed reliever did a fantastic job he pitched two and two-thirds innnings and struck out 5 to set up Rule to finish it off.    

Gerlach was very pleased with his team’s performance under pressure as well as their approach to nail-biting situations. 

“I am extremely proud of these guys, Casteel won the state championship last year, they are like the top of the game. Everyone is chasing them. Our guys played a great game and we came out victorious. It was a total team effort, I couldn't be prouder.” said Gerlach.

As special as this win is, it is not over. Chaparral has made its intention clear about winning a state championship this year.