Saints Survive Huskies’ Late Push In Semifinal Opener

Notre Dame Prep built the kind of lead that usually lets a team breathe. Horizon made sure that comfort did not last.

In game one of the semifinal matchup, the Saints came out firing with four runs in the first inning and kept adding pressure throughout the middle frames. Notre Dame Prep added another run in the third before exploding for seven runs in the fourth, creating a 12–1 advantage and putting Horizon in a deep hole.

But the Huskies did not disappear.

Horizon began chipping away in the fifth with two runs, then turned the sixth inning into a full rally. The Huskies scored six runs in the frame, cutting into the deficit and bringing life back into their dugout. Two more runs in the seventh made things even tighter, but Notre Dame Prep held on through the final push to secure the 13–11 win.

The Saints finished with 10 hits, led by Aidan Martinez, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Layne Henry delivered a major offensive spark, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a triple. J. Sargento added a double and drove in three runs, while Easton Townes, Greyson Bott, and Enzo Di Vito each added hits for Notre Dame Prep.

Horizon matched Notre Dame Prep with 10 hits of its own and made the Saints work until the last out. Hunter Walker had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Ben Patton finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Hudson Grainger scored three times, drove in a run, and stole two bases, and Kanon Faseler added three RBIs as the Huskies nearly completed the comeback.

On the mound, Sam Jenkins gave Notre Dame Prep five important innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out four to earn the win. Andrew Baker also recorded a key inning and picked up the save as the Saints worked through Horizon’s late offensive surge.

For Horizon, Maverick Bolen helped steady the game late, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. That effort gave the Huskies a chance to climb back into the matchup, and they nearly did.

Notre Dame Prep controlled the early innings, Horizon owned the late push, and game one turned into a semifinal fight that refused to quiet down. In the end, the Saints had just enough cushion to survive and take a 13–11 win over the Huskies.