Yuma baseball’s historic season comes to an end in first round of the playoffs
The Criminals couldn't find a timely hit, as they conclude their year with a walk-off loss to five seed Ironwood Ridge
TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma baseball (21-7-1) had their season come to an end in the first round of the AIA 4A State Championship on Saturday.
The Criminals lost to five seed Ironwood Ridge (22-7) in extra innings, thanks to a walk-off base hit from the Nighthawks in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Yuma had a total of seven runners left on base, but head coach Nick Johnson says he understands the effect the high stakes had on his players.
"I thought the game was going to come our way and I thought we were knocking, and then it just did not happen, it's high school baseball man it's anybody’s game at the end of the day," Johnson said.
Despite the loss, Criminals pitcher Kevin Garcia had a stellar outing.
The senior went seven innings, striking out four and giving up only one earned run.
"I just feel confident in my coaching staff, I just trust them with all my heart and I don’t know, it’s just everything was working honestly," Garcia said.
Johnson also saying postgame it was a standout performance for his senior.
"It might have been the best he’s pitched all year you know, and we had our chances offensively you to give him more run support and it just didn’t happen," Johnson said.
Saturday's loss was the final chapter in a year to remember for Yuma baseball.
The Criminals claimed a Black Canyon region championship, and got to host a postseason game for the first time since 2011 with their play-in matchup against Cholla.
Johnson says what he'll remember most about this year's team will be the impact of his seven seniors.
"They live this thing, they breathe this thing, it’s everything to them, they make my job easy," Johnson said.
Now, Johnson's hope is that the lessons his underclassmen learned from those leaving the program will stick for the future.
"You’ve got a bunch of younger guys out there that look up to these guys and you know they just want to be like them or better than them, and so that’s a really good thing going forward," Johnson said.
