Harry Kaseff is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism graduate student assigned to cover Corona del Sol High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Brophy Prep showed their grit at home against Corona del Sol on Tuesday when the game came down to the last batter. The Broncos didn't score until the last inning, but their three runs on one hit in the seventh proved to be enough to beat the Aztecs, 3-2.

“We got away with one,” Brophy coach Josh Garcia said. “That’s a good team and it’s nice to get away with a win like that.”

Game recap

The scoring started in the top of the second inning when Corona’s senior right fielder Parker Williams hit a leadoff home run over the left-field fence to make the score 1-0.

“He had a great plan, a good approach at the plate, and executed the approach,” Corona coach Dave Webb said.

Neither team scored again until the top of the sixth inning. Corona’s senior standout pitcher and designated hitter Kellan Tom hit a double in the gap between center and right field. After a strikeout, Williams hit a single up the middle, which moved Tom to third. Aztec senior second baseman David Moss hit a ground ball to shortstop, which the Broncos couldn't turn the double play on, allowing Tom to make the score 2-0.

“It just shows how good of an athlete he (Tom) is,” Webb said, “and how big of a bulldog he is.”

In the bottom of the seventh inning,  junior right fielder Charlie Borchard and senior second baseman Brandon Wirtz singled and walked to get to second and third with one out. Brophy junior shortstop Dreson Ethier hit a ground ball to Corona’s junior shortstop, Conor Rae. The Aztec infielder short-hopped the throw to junior first baseman Colton Floyd allowing Wirtz and Borchard to tie the game, 2-2.

“Late in the game I got behind in a hole 0-2,” Ethier said. “So, I just had to put the ball in play and let baseball take over. Anything can happen in baseball.” 

Two batters later, still with one out, Brophy senior third baseman Isaac Holder hit a ball on the ground to third. Corona’s Easton Vesely touched third for the force out and then fired late to first base. Junior designated hitter Braden Harmon raced home to score the winning run for Brophy, 3-2.

“We can fly out with the best of them,” Garcia said. “So that’s kind of been the point; we have to see if they have a good infield.”

Key Innings

Bottom 3: A leadoff single by sophomore Ian Palumbo was the second hit of the game for the Broncos. After fellow sophomore Noah Stewart was hit by a pitch, Brophy threatened to score. However, on a 3-2 count Harmon popped up to second, ending the inning with Ethier on deck.

Top 4: Floyd walked and Williams, who went 3-for-3, singled up the middle, giving the Aztecs two runners with nobody out. Moss sacrificed them over to second and third for the first out. Broncos junior pitcher Grady Openden then shut the door on the Aztecs by striking out the next two batters swinging.

Bottom 4: Ethier drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. Holder flew out to deep right field allowing Ethier to tag up to third base. Catcher Jonah Castle was hit by a pitch, which put runners on the corners. This time it was Tom who ended the inning by striking out Palumbo swinging.

“We’re working on staying above and inside the baseball right now,” Ethier said. “We just have to continue hitting the ball on the ground, stick to our game plan and jump ahead early.”

Bottom 6: After the first two Bronco batters were retired, Tom walked the next two hitters and hit Castle for the second time to load the bases. Once again, Tom came through when he needed to and struck out Palumbo swinging to end the inning.

Aztec Leaders

Kellan Tom led the way for the Aztecs with his impressive work on the mound and in the box. Tom went 1-for-3  with a double. Tom accompanied that with five of his own strikeouts and only allowed two hits.

“He’s a kid that doesn't even pitch,” Webb said. “We saw his arm talent last year, and worked with him in the bullpen.”

Tom only threw one inning last season. Since Corona has lost so much pitching due to injuries, Tom has been forced to pitch.

“He’s really stepped up for us and has been dominant as an arm,” Webb said.

Tom will go to Arizona State next year to play first base for the Sun Devils.

Each time Williams entered the batters box he made solid contact. His home run, double and single left him a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Williams would have had an at-bat in the top of the eighth inning if the game went to extras.

Up Next

Corona del Sol (10-3, 4-1) will host a rematch vs. Brophy (11-1, 7-1) on Thursday at 3:45 p.m.