Mesquite's baseball team appeared destined to succumb to a home run-rule defeat as visiting Coconino amassed a 9-1 lead in the third inning on Friday afternoon.

Mesquite coach Jeff Holland was having none of it. He summoned his team in the bottom of the second inning to "have pride. This is your house."

Holland's squad responded with 18 runs across the third, fourth and fifth innings and reversed early fortunes with a 19-9, five-inning, run-rule of Coconino.

Mesquite improved to 9-7-1 and dealt Coconino only its second loss in 10 games this season. Mesquite finished with 22 hits. Seven of the nine starters collected at least two hits. The only player without a hit - Daniel Clark - reached base three times via a walk and hit by pitch twice. Thomas Vogiatzis led the Wildcats with four hits, Keeton Bell, Tariq Freeny, Jake Gorrell and Kyree Gatewood contributed three hits apiece. Wyatt Wright and Jacob Wendt each were 2 for 3.

Mesquite began its rally from 9-1 down with eight runs in the third inning. The first big hit of the frame was a two-run triple by Gatewood, who totaled six RBI for the day. Gatewood added a two-run homer in the fourth and two-run double in the fifth. The Wildcats stroked seven hits in the third and sent 12 batters to the plate. Freeny and Gorrell had two hits each and an RBI in the inning.

The 9-9 tie was snapped by Mesquite in the fourth thanks to a five-run outbursr - Gatewood's two-run HR and Freeny's three-run blast.

Relief pitcher Jacob Espinoza earned the victory with three solid innings. Espinoza allowed one run and three hits in finishing up the game. Espinoza replaced starter Elijah Sosa, who allowed eight runs and seven hits in two innings of work.

Mesquite returns to play Monday with a non-region game at Buckeye. The Wildcats follow with a home-and-home 4A Desert Sky Region series Tuesday and Friday with Saguaro. Coconino, who has played all its games away from home so far, plays next Tuesday and Thursday vs. Grand Canyon Region opponent Prescott.

Mesquite's Jake Gorrell (2) picks up one of his two hits Friday as his flyball is lost in the sun. (Azpreps365 photo)