The Pahrump Aztecs Bronze 14U squad battled through momentum swings and came up with timely plays when they mattered most Monday, June 29, defeating Shadow 8-7 in dramatic walk-off fashion at home.
After three scoreless innings highlighted by strong pitching from Kasen Smith and solid defensive play behind him, the Aztecs finally broke through in the bottom of the third.
Pahrump loaded the bases through patient at-bats from Anthony Aguilar, Stetson Brown, Trustin Wagnon, Chris Mize Jr. and Sawyer Tillery. Runners eventually crossed the plate on a combination of walks and a balk, giving the Aztecs a 5-0 advantage.
The defense immediately backed up the lead in the top of the fourth with one of its cleanest innings of the game. Zayne Tuck, catching behind the plate, recorded the first out on a pop-up before the Aztecs erased another baserunner with a successful pickoff at second base. The inning ended moments later when the defense converted a ground ball into an out at third, sending Shadow back to the dugout without threatening.
Pahrump added another run in the bottom half of the inning after Justin Forsythe and Bentley Shannon each worked walks to open the frame. Aguilar followed with a ground ball that resulted in a double play, but it allowed Forsythe to advance to third. Wagnon then drew another walk before Tillery stepped to the plate. During an attempted throw to catch Wagnon stealing second, the ball sailed into the outfield, allowing Forsythe to race home and extend the Aztecs’ lead to 3-0. Tillery was later hit by a pitch before Mize’s at-bat ended the inning.
Shadow answered in a big way during the fifth inning.
A hit batter, a single and consecutive walks loaded the bases before another walk forced in the visitors’ first run. A ball hit to shortstop was misplayed, bringing in another run, and Shadow followed with a base hit to center field. An overthrow on a stolen base attempt allowed additional runners to score as the visitors quickly erased the deficit and tied the game 6-6. Although Pahrump settled down with Brown making a routine play from shortstop to first for the second out and another groundout ending the inning, a balk allowed Shadow to push across one more run and take its first lead of the evening at 7-6.
The Aztecs threatened to answer in the bottom of the fifth.
Brown led off with a well-hit ball to center field that was turned into a diving catch for the first out. Smith worked a walk before Everette Abelar reached on a single to left field after Smith advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. With runners at the corners, Shadow escaped the inning with back-to-back strikeouts to preserve its one-run advantage.
Smith and the Aztecs defense kept the game within reach in the top of the sixth.
After Shadow put runners on first and second, the visitors attempted to manufacture insurance with a bunt, but Smith fielded it cleanly and made the throw to first for the opening out. Abelar then tracked down a shallow fly ball in center field for the second out before the inning ended on a groundout to first base, giving the Aztecs one final opportunity.
Pahrump made the most of it.
Maddox Augustine was retired on strikes to begin the inning, but Aguilar sparked the rally with a single to left field. Courtesy runner Justin Forsythe immediately put pressure on the defense by stealing second before Ashton Toole grounded out, allowing Forsythe to advance to third.
With two outs, Tillery delivered the clutch hit of the game, lining a single into left field to score Forsythe and tie the contest at 7-7. Tillery then stole second, putting the winning run in scoring position.
Isaiah Samayoa followed with another timely base hit, sending the ball into right field. Tillery raced home ahead of the throw, completing the comeback and giving the Aztecs an exciting 8-7 walk-off victory.
The win showcased the Aztecs’ persistence throughout the evening as they combined patient at-bats, aggressive baserunning and key defensive plays to overcome a late deficit and finish the game with consecutive clutch hits when it mattered most.
