San Luis prevails 8-2 over Skyline to keep season alive, will travel for play-in game on Wednesday
In a do-or-die game to keep their season alive, the Sidewinders delivered a win
SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) - With their season on the line, the San Luis Sidewinders delivered.
San Luis defeated Skyline 8-2 on senior day, securing a spot in a play-in game and keeping its postseason hopes alive.
The Sidewinders set the tone early and never looked back. Already leading 5-1 in the fourth inning, Emilio Lopez came through with runners in scoring position, lifting a fly ball to left that dropped in to extend the lead.
San Luis continued to build from there.
On the mound, Eric Espinoza dominated, striking out 12 over seven innings while holding Skyline in check. The junior’s performance helped the Sidewinders carry a 7-1 lead into the later innings.
In the sixth, Luis Cunningham added to the advantage with an RBI single to center, pushing the lead to 8-1.
Skyline threatened in the seventh, scoring a run and putting runners in scoring position, but San Luis closed the door. A rundown on the basepaths ended the game, sealing the win.
For coach Cesar Castillo, the performance was especially meaningful on a day dedicated to his seniors.
“Oh man, those seniors, they were extra special today,” Castillo said. “Seniors were a big part of it with Cunningham having two hits today, two-out RBIs and Lopez having a two-out-two-RBI double.”
Castillo said contributions throughout the lineup made a difference too.
“We only have four seniors, so two guys started today and it was special for them,” he said. “The guys picked up the slack at the bottom of the order to be able to give them an opportunity to win today.”
The win marked a strong finish at home and a step forward for a team that approached the game with postseason intensity.
“It was a great way to end the season on our home field,” Castillo said. “Hopefully we can get a good seed and go on the road and go from there.”
Castillo added that treating the matchup like a playoff game — and preparing that way all season — played a key role in the outcome.
With the victory, San Luis now turns its attention to the play-in round, where it will look to keep its season going.
