Chandler, AZ-- The Chandler Gilbert Coyote Baseball team is advancing to the Region 1 Championship series after defeating Paradise Valley Community College in the Best-of-Three Semi-final series. Game 1 of the semi-final saw Tate Lewis hit a dramatic walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th to win the game 11-8. Game 1 was a back and forth affair with multiple lead changes including the visiting Pumas going up by one run in the top of the 9th. The Yotes responded with one run in the bottom of the 9th and needed extra innings to secure the win.
Despite losing Game 2 by the score of 7-1, they responded valiantly in Game 3 under the hot Arizona sun. The third game in as many days was one for the ages. The Yotes got an early three run lead in the first inning but the visiting Pumas came right back with three runs of their own in the second inning. A four run fifth inning followed up by a three run sixth inning put the Yotes up for good and tough defense carried them for the rest of the game. They eventually won 12-10. The highlight of the game was pitcher Daniel Hutchison who earned the win on the mound but also had a key RBI in his first ever college at bat. Due to a technicality in the subsitution rules consisting of the designated hitter, Hutchison was forced to go up to the plate with one out and a runner on third for the Coyotes. Sure enough, the Yotes have pitchers who rake and Hutchison drove in the run with a single. Dante Turgeon also hit a big homerun in the win.
The team moves forward to host the Region 1 Championship series starting Thursday the 9th. They will be taking on an upset minded Gateway College team who beat the top seeded Mesa Community College in two games in the other semi-final. Hopefully home field advantage pays off for the Coyotes again. A win in the Region 1 Championship series means a trip to the District championship in Oklahoma for a shot at the NJCAA World Series.
