Kofa rallies late to beat Yuma 5-1 in heated rivalry matchup

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - It wasn’t just another crosstown game—it came with a little extra edge.

Kofa pulled away late to defeat Yuma 5-1 on Monday, breaking open a tight game with a three-run sixth inning and adding another in the seventh to seal it.

The two sides traded runs in the first, but from there it turned into a grind. Yuma totaled eight hits but couldn’t cash in, stranding runners and managing just one run despite multiple chances.

Kofa made the most of its opportunities. Ernesto Hernandez went the distance on the mound, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out six to keep the Criminals in check. Offensively, Hector Mejia and Ivan Bonillas each recorded two hits, helping spark the late push.

Yuma got multi-hit efforts from Landon Englebrecht and Jack Bouts, but couldn’t string together the big inning needed to answer.

And while the game stayed competitive on the field, the intensity didn’t end there.

After the final out, tensions spilled over into a heated postgame exchange between Kofa head coach Jose Suero and Yuma High’s Nick Johnson—adding some fireworks to an already emotional rivalry showdown.

In the end, Kofa walks away with the win but this one had a little more behind it than just the final score.