Sahuaro's Ryan Moser dives back to first base on a pick-off attempt during a state quarterfinal playoff game against Ironwood Ridge.

A.E. Araiza / arizona daily star

Other articles by Casey Crowe:

Hawks deserving of attention Denninghoff helps Sabino girls win Stellar running backs to clash when Titans take on Mustangs Alignment next year could look like today's conferences Marana's Friday night revivalFriends are foes as Cienega visits CDO Wildcats lose to Huskies in five sets Salpointe steps it up Rivalry, respect on tap Because of competing meet, Los Mezquites is wide open this year

Trades/Construction
.
Welders, Fabricators for structural steel Legal
Munger Chadwick P.L.C
Associat For Commercial & Corporate Transactions & litigation Trades/Construction
HILLSIDE
CONCRETE CARPENTER FOREMAN Health Care
Children's Pulmonary Specialist
MA/Peds Specailty Ofc Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Glass Sales Customer Service
LA Z BOY
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES General
BREAD PACKING MANAGER

Canyon del Oro pitching ace Rick Patton stifled any creeping thoughts of an ailing arm.

After throwing 96 pitches in the Dorados' win Saturday, Patton returned to the mound for the final 3 1/3 innings of CDO's dramatic 9-8 win over Amphitheater in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A-I state tournament at Hi Corbett on Tuesday.

"I'm beat," said Patton. "I gave everything I had out there tonight."

Patton retired Amphi's Jesus Vega on a ground out with the bases loaded in the seventh to seal the win.

"Both teams are stud teams," said CDO coach Len Anderson. "They kept coming back and we kept coming back."

Amphi plated three runs in the first, including a run-scoring double by Vega.

The Dorados tied the score at 3 in the third when Dylan Cota-Robles crushed a two-run home run over the 30-foot batter's eye in dead center.

With two outs in the fourth, Amphi catcher Rafael Neda unloaded a three-run homer on Patton's first pitch to put the Panthers back on top.

But the lead was short-lived; CDO responded with three in the fifth, highlighted by Ray Nettling's two-run double to tie it at 7.

The Dorados went ahead for good in the sixth when a throwing error by Amphi third baseman Alex Brown sailed down the right field line, allowing Erik Kozel to score from first.

Brent Lush tacked on an RBI single to make it 9-7.

● Sahuaro 13, Ironwood Ridge 3: At Hi Corbett, the hype surrounding Sahuaro standout Pat McCoy usually focuses on his high-powered left arm — and dominance from the rubber.

But after blasting a 392-foot home run in the Cougars mercy-rule shortened quarterfinal win, McCoy's exploits in the box were equally eye-catching.

"I'm seeing everything," said McCoy. "It's pretty easy at the plate right now."

McCoy finished 2 for 2 with a double, a homer and four RBIs.

The Cougars scored five runs in the bottom of the first and added three in the second, and four in the third — including McCoy's round-tripper.

"Not for one second did I think I'd be able to get it out of here," said McCoy.

A fielder's choice ground out by starter Kyle Waddell plated Tommy King to end it.

"Our pitchers didn't hit good spots in the zone, left them out over the plate," said Nighthawks coach Nick Allen.

● Peoria Sunrise Mountain 11, Flowing Wells 9: At Tempe Diablo Stadium, Flowing Wells saw its inspirational run in the state playoffs come to an end.

The Caballeros fell behind 8-4 in the second inning, then forced ties of 8-8 in the fifth and 9-9 in the sixth.

Jacob Payne homered and Tommy Teegarden had two doubles for Flowing Wells, but Sunrise Mountain scored twice in the sixth to pull away.

After losing in the second round, the Cabs (18-13) staved off elimination with two wins in the losers bracket. A win Tuesday would have put them in the semifinal round.