Knights Power Past Huskies for 5A Championship Victory

Arizona College Prep stepped into the 5A championship game with a complete performance, using early offense, steady pitching, and timely execution to take down Horizon 11–3. From the opening inning, the Knights looked locked in at the plate, jumping ahead with two runs in the first before adding three more in the second to build a strong early lead.

Horizon continued to compete and found ways to push runs across, but Arizona College Prep kept the pressure on and never allowed the Huskies to fully swing momentum back. The Knights’ offense became the story of the game, finishing with 12 hits and putting together their biggest moment in the fourth inning.

Already holding the lead, Arizona College Prep exploded for six runs in the fourth, turning a competitive matchup into a commanding advantage. A. Sanchez helped lead the charge with a standout day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBIs, and a home run.

C. Groppenbacher added three hits and an RBI, while C. Estrella delivered a major spark with two hits, three RBIs, a double, and a triple. A. Longfellow also came through in a big way, driving in three runs and launching a home run as part of the Knights’ offensive push.

Horizon showed fight throughout the game and continued to battle despite falling behind early. The Huskies got on the board in the third, added another run in the fifth, and pushed across one more in the seventh. B. Patton was one of Horizon’s strongest offensive pieces, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.

On the mound, C. Nachman gave Arizona College Prep the steady start it needed. He worked five innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out four and limiting Horizon’s ability to string together a major inning. G. McInturf handled the final two innings, allowing two hits and one run to close the game out.

For Horizon, R. Tomey provided a strong relief appearance, throwing three scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and keeping the Huskies within reach during his time on the mound. The difference came down to Arizona College Prep’s ability to capitalize when runners were on base, collect extra-base hits in key spots, and use one huge inning to take full control of the championship stage.

With the 11–3 victory, the Knights closed the game with authority and delivered a championship performance built on confidence, patience, and power. It was a statement win for Arizona College Prep, fueled by a lineup that stayed aggressive and a pitching staff that kept the game under control from start to finish.