Verdugo’s double powers Rams to Sunrise final

Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

Rancho players celebrate a grand slam hit by Rancho’s Anthony Guzman during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game against Coronado at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Joey Walls, center, celebrates with teammates after defeating Coronado in the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho players react to a grand slam hit by Rancho’s Anthony Guzman, not pictured, during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game against Coronado at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Chayse Baker (13) celebrates his run against Coronado during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Anthony Guzman (27) gets to first base against Coronado’s Nolan Patterson (23) during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Coronado’s Joey Calvert (1) celebrates his run as he approaches home plate during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game against Rancho at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Coronado’s Braeden Ewing (13) comes up short on a fly ball from Rancho during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Edarian Williams (32) celebrates his run against Coronado during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Anthony Guzman (27) rounds the bases on his grand slam hit against Coronado during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Anthony Guzman (27) scores a run past Coronado’s Braeden Ewing (13) during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Joey Walls (14) rounds bases during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game against Coronado at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Rancho’s Joey Walls, center, celebrates his run with teammates during the Sunset Region semifinal baseball game against Coronado at Green Valley High School in Henderson on Friday, May 11, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Chris Verdugo had just two at-bats coming into play on Friday, but the Rancho junior made the most of his opportunity to hit against Coronado.

Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, including a two-run double in the sixth that broke a 10-10 tie, as the Rams defeated the Cougars 14-10 at Green Valley to advance to the championship round of the Sunrise Region baseball tournament.

“Verdugo came clutch,” Rancho coach Manny Llamas said. “He’s been sitting on the bench for a while, and it was his time to get there. And he stepped up when we needed him most, and I’m really happy for Chris.”

Rancho (29-7) plays Basic (29-5) at noon on Saturday at Green Valley. Should Rancho win, a second game would be played to determine the champion.

The Rams took a 10-6 lead on a grand slam by Anthony Guzman in the bottom of the fifth, but the Cougars (21-12) answered with four runs in the sixth, capped by Boston Mabeus three-run homer to tie the game again.

Rancho loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on a double by Joey Walls, an intentional walk and a bunt single by Layton Walls. After a strikeout. Verdugo’s double one-hopped the fence in center field, bringing home two runs.

“I was kind of nervous the first two at-bats, but I got used to it,” said Verdugo, who doubled and scored in the fifth.

Edarian Williams added a two-run single for the final margin.

Joey Walls was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, three RBIs and two runs to lead a 15-hit attack for Rancho, which defeated Green Valley 15-14 earlier Friday to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.

Chayse Baker hit two triples, and Jimmy Gamboa and Guzman each added two hits for the Rams, who lost 21-6 to Coronado on Wednesday to fall into the losers’ bracket.

“We have a lot to go. We’re not even completely done yet,” Llamas said. “These guys have been grinding all year. They have a goal in mind, a goal in sight and they’re going to do whatever they can to get there.”

Christian Herrera was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, and Taylor Darden was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs for Coronado.

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587. Follow @DamonSeiters on Twitter.