Hayden celebrates their third baseball championship in as many years. Photo by Debbie Torres
What a game! What a game!
The Hayden baseball team found themselves in the championship game for the third year in a row. The lights shined down on Tempe Diablo Stadium, as the final 1A baseball game of the year was about to take place.
The Hayden Lobos seeded #2 in the state were pitted against the #1 seeded team Bagdad Sultans.
Before facing Bagdad, though, Hayden had to win the semi-final game.
Starting off on Friday, May 16, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Lobos met up with #3 seed Mogollon. Hayden came out swinging, scoring 4 runs in the first inning, while giving up 1 run. The second inning saw neither team score, followed by another 4 runs for the Lobos, and 1 for the Mustangs, in the third inning.
The fourth inning had the Lobos and Mustangs score 1 run. In the fifth inning, the boys scored 2 runs and gave up none. Hayden scored 2 more runs in the sixth inning, while giving up 1 run. In the seventh inning the Lobos gave up 2 runs.
The game concluded with a final score of 13-6, sending Hayden into the championship, where they would meet up with Bagdad.
Hayden’s Jonah Lopez (14) tags out a Bagdad player at the championship game. Photo by Debbie Torres
On Saturday, Hayden and Bagdad started the play with each team scoring 1 run. During the second inning, the Sultans scored 1 run, while the Lobos couldn’t bring any runs in.
The Lobos were able to tie the score back up with 1 run in the third inning. During the fourth inning, the Lobos scored 2 runs, but gave up 3, putting them behind 4-5.
Hayden’s Kino Lorona (22) on the field at the championship game. Photo by Jocelyn Ruiz
The fifth inning sat at a stalemate, with no runs being scored.
In the sixth inning, the Lobos were able to tie the game back up by scoring 1 run. Going into the seventh inning, the game sat at 5-5. The Lobos were unable to bring any runners in, but the boys kept tough, and didn’t give up any runs.
With the score tied, the game went into extra innings. Things were tense during the eighth inning. Once again, the Lobos struggled to bring home any runners. Holding it down, the Lobos were able to keep the Sultans off of home plate, sending them into the ninth inning. The Lobos were able to rally together, and bring 4 runs in. In the bottom of the ninth, the Lobos were able to stop the Sultans after 1 run.
The final score of the game sat at 9-6, making the Hayden Lobos the three time 1A Baseball State Champions!
The boys closed out their season with a 23-5 final record.
Congratulations, Lobos, on your victory, and defending your title. You’ve brought great pride to your community and the whole Copper Corridor!
During the second inning, the Superior Panthers were recognized and presented the 1A Sportsmanship Award. The officials pick one team from each conference for the award.
2025 1A State Baseball Champions. Photo by Debbie Torres