Chris Greene is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover high school baseball for AZPreps365.com

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino closed the door on a Lee Williams comeback attempt in walk-off fashion, 6-5, on March 17 at Coconino High School. 

Senior Collin Peace delivered the walkoff after having a great day at the plate, putting up three hits, including the game-winning RBI. Senior Jake Hanley matched him with three hits and an RBI as well. 

Peace was asked about his approach going into the final at-bat.

“I was really nervous actually,” Peace said. “Just like, I can’t hit into a double-play here, gotta elevate the ball and put it in play here.” 

Head coach Cristo Tabares said that the approach was something they have been emphasizing all season. 

“We have been stressing it for a long time, put the ball in play, situational baseball,” he said. “We got maybe one or two guys that are gonna be boppers, but for the most part we got guys that are gonna put balls in play and really move runners, and we did that.” 

The Panthers’ offense was clicking on all cylinders totaling 11 hits, with the team constantly putting the ball in play to force Lee Williams to have to make plays time and time again. 

On the mound, senior pitcher Caleb Begay gave Coconino a strong start, working deep into the game while keeping Lee Williams off balance. He relied heavily on the one-two of his fastball and slider combo. 

“I really think the fastball and slider was actually working really good today,” Begay said. "A lot of them couldn’t really hit it." 

Lee Williams tied the game late, putting pressure on Coconino in the sixth inning with bases loaded. The Panthers turned to freshman Caleb Smith, who worked out of the jam to keep the game tied heading into the final inning. 

Tabares pointed to Smith’s confidence in that moment as the key factor. 

“He’s a freshman, but he’s got a bunch of moxie,” Tabares said. “He doesn’t play like a freshman, he plays like somebody who’s been there.”

The win adds to a stretch of close games for Coconino in region play, where matchups have consistently come down to late execution. For the Panthers, the ability to stay composed in those moments made the difference.

“It builds the momentum,” Peace said. “Helps us know that we can compete.”