TEMPE — Sabino High School scored five runs in the second inning and appeared to be rolling to a big win in the Class 3A high school baseball championship Monday.
But the Sabercats had to fend off a late rally by Buckeye Odyssey Institute, which scored five runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh on Steven Vasquez's 3-run homer.
In the end, No. 4 seed Sabino held on to secure the title, 12-8, at Tempe Diablo Stadium Monday.
“I mean they never died. We knew they were a tough team,'' said Sabino coach Frank Folsom. "We knew they were going to give us a run for their money. We came in with a good game plan. We followed it and executed it. I’m proud of these guys. They went through a lot with COVID.â€
Sabino's Jake Wiltshire fields a wide throw to tag out Odyssey Institute's Maxwell Oransky during Monday's Class 3A state championship game in Tempe.
The Sabercats rolled through Snowflake 18-0 in the first round, beat Pusch Ridge Christian 6-4 in the quarterfinals and topped No. 1-seed Chandler Valley Christian 9-4 in the semifinals.
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This was their second straight title, dating to 2019, the last time there was a state tournament. Sabino had to vacate its 2018 state championship because of an AIA prior-contact rule violation. Folsom came on to lead Sabino (16-5) after that rules violation, and Sabino has turned it up a notch, showing signs of a baseball dynasty.
This team was sharp in every area Monday with pitcher Tyler Welsh facing the minimum 12 batters through four innings. Three Odyssey base runners were thrown out.
“It was a little hiccup there at the end. I was getting a little tired. I wasn’t throwing my best stuff. We were always comfortable. We didn’t ever feel like we had it out of our hands.â€
Odyssey's ace, the left-hander Vasquez, walked in two runners in the second inning, before Dylan Brandford drove in two runs with a single. Another run came across on a wild pitch.
Sabino's Nathan Ortiz (10) is tagged out at home by Odyssey Institute catcher Kentaro Felton (16) during the 3A baseball state championship game in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Nathan Ortiz had three hits and an RBI and reached base all four times for the Sabercats.
Sabino's baseball win came several hours after the school's softball team won the 3A state championship in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
Odyssey (17-3), which had no fall sports due to the pandemic, was seeking its first state championship.
“They persevered from start to finish. They worked hard,'' said Odyssey coach Daniel Nelson. "We started off slow. It’s the last year from some of these kids. I liked how they worked hard all the way through.â€
Photos: Sabino wins 2021 3A State High School baseball championship
Sabino wins 3A baseball championship
Sabino head coach Frank Folsom and his players celebrate after winning the 3A baseball state championship game against Odyssey Institute 12-8 in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Sabino wins 3A baseball championship
Sabino's Jake Wiltshire (18) fields a wide throw to tag out Odyssey Institute's Maxwell Oransky attempting to steal during the 3A baseball state championship game in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Sabino wins 3A baseball championship
Sabino's Nathan Ortiz (10) is tagged out at home by Odyssey Institute catcher Kentaro Felton (16) during the 3A baseball state championship game in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Sabino wins 3A baseball championship
Sabino's Tyler Delk (24) is congratulated after scoring against Odyssey Institute during the 3A baseball state championship game in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Sabino wins 3A baseball championship
Odyssey Institute's Geoffrey Barr (23) fields a ground ball as Sabino's Jake Wiltshire (18) runs to third during the 3A baseball state championship game in Tempe, Ariz. May 17, 2021.
Photos: Sabino wins 2021 3A State High School Softball Championship
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
The Sabino Sabercats rush toward the pitcher's mound after Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in the 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Riley Nielson, 5, holds the 3A State Softball Championship trophy while the Sabercats pose for a group photo during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Riley Nielson, 5, gives a hug to Gianna Pancost, 17, after a strikeout during the final inning of Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Gianna Pancost, 17, safely slides into third base during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Payson's Kaylee Boone,1, just barely misses a catch during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Payson's Raci Miranda, 9, pitches while Sabino's Yesenia Romero, 4, prepares to steal a base during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Gianna Pancost, 17, hits the ball during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Gianna Pancost, 17, yells towards the dugout after safely running to second base during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in AIA's 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Payson's Ivy Woolwine, 27, tags Sabino's Ashley Stewart, 12, at third base during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in AIA's 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
3A State Championship: Sabino vs Payson
Sabino's Jesamin Aguilar, 7, throws the ball to first base during Sabino's 4-1 win over Payson in 3A State Softball Championship at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
