In six-and-half innings worth of plays, a first inning hit-and-run play could easily be shrugged off in Queen Creek’s 8-4 win over Casteel.

Add in the factor of Monday’s game was between the top two teams in 6A and that play takes on more magnitude in the No. 1 Bulldogs’ victory over the No. 2 Colts in the regular season finale non-region matchup.

Casteel put on a hit-and-run with one out and runners on first and third against Queen Creek starter Tyke Daniels in attempt to take an early lead.

It was thwarted by a curveball out of the zone leading to a swing and miss while catcher Manny Hoyos’ strike to second kept the visiting team scoreless before the Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom half on a Diego Armenta solo shot.

“That was a big situation, but listen I’m not surprised,” Queen Creek coach Mikel Moreno said. “I can not say enough good things about Manny. He’s the best defensive catcher in the country. Not the state. The country. It’s not even close.”

Hoyos, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI single, said he was ready for the challenge in that first inning, and he shot down Ryne Barker on the stolen base attempt.

From his knees no less.

“It was all reaction,” said the Grand Canyon recruit. “It was a curveball, swing and miss and I saw (the baserunner) late so no other choice than from my knees. I had to be quick there and I got it there.

“This game was a little more personal for me. They have a lot really good players and good bats. I wanted to do my part.”

Armenta’s solo shot was the first of three RBI for the senior center fielder as he added a bases loaded walk in the second and an RBI single in the fourth as Queen Creek never relinquished the lead.

The patience he showed in his second gave an idea of his discipline. Casteel intentionally walked Jet Berry to load the bases to get to Armenta.

You know, the guy who homered the inning before.

“I was looking for my pitch, being a selective and had a good at bat,” said Armenta, who went 3-for4 with three RBI. “You want to be more aggressive because he just hit a bomb, but it is about patience and seeing the right pitch.”

Casteel managed to close within 5-4 in the top of sixth thanks to Jose Bingochea’s second RBI, a single to score Blake Gonzalez who started the inning with a double. Taylor Dodd added a sacrifice fly to end the Colts’ scoring.

“They had more knocks with runners in scoring position, and we left some guys out there,” Casteel coach Matt Denny said. “That hit-and-run was a bad break, and they have a good catcher, and we know that, so it had to be perfect with him behind the plate.

“They made some pitches when they needed to, but I am proud of the way we swung it and got back into it at the end.”

The Colts will likely finish with the second seed, or at least a top four, heading into Saturday’s 6A first round.

“We just keep grinding and they’re a good ballclub,” Denny said. “We needed to keep them off base a little better. We get back to work and get ready (for the playoffs.)"

The Bulldogs put it away in the bottom of the six with five singles, including senior Jordan Ranson’s second hit of the game to drive in Jet Berry to score the first of three runs.

“I trust our bats, and we’re going to chip away or add on,” Hoyos said. “We’re always a scrappy team and I trust my teammates. (Casteel) got close but I knew we’d find a way.”

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