Sanderford’s Two Hitter Blanks Bears 10-0: Whitwell’s walk-off ends the game in six

Photo: Ashton Whitwell (center) and the Badgers celebrate his two RBI single to end the game with a 10-0 win over Bradshaw Mountain

The Prescott Badgers got a great effort by pitcher Adrian Sanderford and the bats produced the runs needed in a 10-0 six inning win over rival Bradshaw Mountain Bears at Prescott High School.

Photo: Adrian Sanderford was dominate in his six innings of work

Sanderford was nearly perfect, giving up just two hits with zero walks. “I pitched against them last time, and they put some balls in play. I wanted to throw strikes and let my defense go to work, and that’s what happened. The defense played great,” said Sanderford. “I was working my fastball, slider, and my curveball kind of worked, but when I needed to, I got it down.”

Sanderford had to pitch out of a pair of jams in the fourth and fifth innings as the Bears threatened, leaving two runners on base in both innings.

Photo: Ivan Schuster with an off balance throw to first

Prescott got to Bears starter Jeremy Reynolds in the bottom of the first inning. Ivan Schuster opened up being hit by a pitch. Nick Martin hustled down the line and reached first on a throwing error with the base runners advancing to second and third. Sanderford walked to load the bases, followed by two bug hits, the first a double by Cooper Magnett scoring Schuster and Martin. Colton Champion singled in Sanderford and it was 3-0.

The two pitching staffs held things in check through the next four innings. Dylan Lockwood replaced Reynolds for the third inning and threw three shutout innings before being chased in the sixth.

Bradshaw Mountain had two runners on in the fourth and fifth innings but stranded them out on the bases as Sanderford hit the spots he needed, including one big strikeout in the fifth.

Prescott seemed ready to have an explosive inning as the team built momentum on the performance by their senior hurler.

Ironically, the sixth inning started off with Whitwell walking. Dominic Cruz had what turned out to be a masterful at bat, showing bunt first then working a walk that seemed to throw the Bears pitcher into a funk allowing free passes to the next two batters, Patterson and Schuster, who got credit for an RBI. Luke Tobin singled in two more. Dylan Reid came in to pitch, replacing Lockwood. Sanderford grounded out to score another and it was 7-0. Magnett singled to center and Champion doubled scoring Schuster leaving runners at second and third for Whitwell.

Whitwell said, “I had no idea that was the game till I saw everyone coming out to celebrate. I just wanted to hit the ball. It was exciting, I haven’t been hitting the greatest this season, but maybe it will be a turning point. Maybe it will put me in a better spot in future games.”

Photo: Cooper Magnett connects for a two run double in the first to give the Badgers an early lead

Cooper Magnett finished with two hits and two RBIs said, “I was telling the guys that a first inning double would feel really good and then it happened. Adrian was great today. He really set the tone in that first inning. They are a really solid hitting team and what he did today was amazing.“ About the walk-off hit, “I was so happy for Ashton coming up with the game ending hit. He has been in and out of the lineup and I am glad he got to experience that.” About closing out the rivalry in his senior season by beating the Bears, “It felt really good to get this one. We played our worst game of the season over there last time and we wanted to redeem ourselves. This was a great way to go out.”

The Badgers continue to climb the ladder after slipping at Flagstaff. Prescott made the jump over Bradshaw Mountain with the win moving up to #8. The Bears fell to #10.

Caden Randall and Dylan Lockwood had the only two hits for the Bears who slip into second place at (8-2) in the Grand Canyon Region and (17-5) overall.

Mingus comes to town in the final Grand Canyon Region game on Wednesday. Bradshaw Mountain has a doubleheader at Lee Williams on Saturday beginning at noon.

PRESCOTT BADGERS 10, BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN BEARS 0

Innings- 123 456 – R H E

Bradshaw Mountain 000 000 – 0 2 2

Prescott 300 007 – 10 9 1

WP:Sanderford

LP:Reynolds

GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS

School- W-L W-L

Prescott 9-2 14-5

Bradshaw Mountain 8-2 17-5

Flagstaff 7-4 16-9

Lee Williams 6-4 9-10