Yuma Catholic defeats Kingman 6-1 to advance to 3A State Semifinals

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Catholic Shamrocks are headed to the Arizona Interscholastic Association 3A State Baseball Semifinals after a commanding 6-1 win over the Kingman Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon

Playing at home, the Shamrocks wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, Leonel Avelar lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in the first run of the game.

Yuma Catholic added another run before the inning was over, taking a 2-0 lead early.

Starting pitcher Mickey Fox was dominant from the mound, holding the Bulldogs scoreless through the first three innings. His strong performance set the tone for the rest of the game.

Fox also helped himself defensively, making a sharp pickoff move at first base in the fourth inning that kept Kingman from building momentum.

Yuma Catholic's offense kept pressure on, capitalizing on a misplayed pop-up in the outfield during the second inning to move runners into scoring position. They'd cash in to take a 3-1 lead.

In the third, Kingman threatened with runners on base, but Shamrocks centerfielder Owen Domingos came up with a big defensive play, tracking down a deep fly ball to end the inning.

Kingman did manage to push across a run in the fourth, but Yuma Catholic limited the damage and responded with insurance runs later in the game.

Fox finished with six innings of one-run baseball, helping secure the win and punch the Shamrocks' ticket to the state semifinals.

Yuma Catholic will face Pusch Ridge on Tuesday with a shot at the 3A State Championship game on the line.