Grand slam carries Centennial past Sunrise Mountain

In this breakthrough season for Centennial baseball, Todd Orta erased any lingering doubts of the Coyotes legitimacy.
The senior's seventh-inning grand slam provided the punctuation on Centennial's 11-6 victory against longtime tormentor and rival Sunrise Mountain.
"It was awesome. All the years we took it from them," Orta said. "Today we came in with confidence that we could win."
Wednesday's game at Sunrise Mountain pitted two teams tied atop the Desert West Region with 4-0 records. The Mustangs have claimed the region title since 5A-II play began in 2006.
In that time Sunrise Mountain (15-9, 4-1) rolled to six straight regular season wins against Centennial (20-3, 5-0). This year, the Coyotes entered the showdown with a powerful, veteran lineup that, combined with the Mustangs' inexperience, made for the most even matchup in recent years.
"They finally feel like they have the team to win region," Sunrise Mountain coach Eric Gardner said.
Centennial is in the driver's seat now, but wresting control of the Desert West away from Sunrise Mountain wasn't easy. The Coyotes entered their final turn at bat having already lost two leads during the game.
Junior submariner Jered McDaniel baffled Centennial in the sixth, his first inning of relief. In the seventh, Coyote hitters adjusted, staying back on McDaniel's off-speed pitches.
"Any time you're seeing someone with a four foot difference in release point, it takes some time to adjust." Centennial coach Jason Nutall said.
Senior pinch hitter Tyler Brandt stayed patient and started the seventh with a single. Senior pitcher Michael Pomeroy added a single, and both runners advanced after the relay throw sailed over the second baseman's head and bounced past the third baseman. Freshman Zach Hoffpauir was intentionally walked.
Junior catcher Austin Arias stepped up with the bases loaded and no outs and singled in a run. Orta, the next batter, knocked McDaniel's offering over the left field wall to give the Coyotes breathing room.
"It felt good actually doing something against him after two years of him owning us," Orta said.
Senior reliever Chad Deardoff allowed a walk, but then closed the game with three straight fly ball outs.
"Finally, we were able to not let them tie the damn ball game," Nutall said.
Centennial never trailed, but could not shake the Mustangs. In the first inning, Arias hit an RBI single and junior Austin Garday plated Hoffpauir on a sacrifice fly.
In the third inning, the Coyotes took advantage of Mustang mistakes. Pomeroy was hit by a pitch. Hoffpauir reached first base on an error.
Arias grounded out to first base, but a potential double-play throw to second base was dropped allowing Stephen Holman (running for Pomeroy) to score. Otra flied out to right, and Hoffpuir tagged up. The throw to the plate appeared to be on time, but skipped past the catcher.
"We had a chance to turn four double plays, and it built from there," Gardner said. "That's part of being a young team. You can't give these guys extra opportunities."
The 4-0 lead did not last long. Sophomore Danny Schlief lead off with a double into the left field corner. Senior Drew Wolff drove him in with a double.
Wolff scored on the second of two straight groundouts. Sophomore Austin Byler then brought Sunrise Mountain to within one when his high fly ball carried inches past the left field fence.
Wolff drew the Mustangs even in the bottom of the fourth, driving in his brother, Bryce.
As quickly as they climbed back in, the Mustangs gave momentum away. In the top of the fifth Hoffpauir walked, swiped second on a pitch in the dirt and cruised into third on a passed ball. Arias drove him in with a double down the first base line.
Junior Jake Juscius ran for Arias. He tagged up on a deep fly ball by Orta. Then, Juscius scored on another passed ball.
"It was an emotional game and when you make errors, you magnify this emotion," Grardner said.
Sunrise Mountain showed some fire, making a second comeback in the sixth inning. After Deardoff began his outing by recording two outs.
Drew Wolff had a hand in this rally, too, lacing a single into right field. Senior A.J. Robinson then crushed a game-tying homer to left center.
Nutall said the way his team responded to Robinson's homer was a testament to its psyche. Though Centennial beat Sunrise Mountain 12-5 in the Best of the West tournament, this was the players' first win over a full strength Mustang squad.
"This is the biggest win we've had in three years," Nutall said. "I think it's biggest for the kids that have struggled against them."
The teams meet again in the regular season finale April 29 at Centennial.
"As long as we both take care of business, it comes down to the last game for the region title," Gardner said.