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Catalina Foothills' bus idled in the parking lot after Tuesday's 5-4 Class 4A-I playoff victory over Sabino, a rocking heap of yellow metal and white noise.

The victorious Falcons screamed themselves hoarse as each player and coach jumped on board for the ride back to school.

The biggest cheers were saved for Jesus Martinez, whose pinch-hit, three-run home run in the fifth inning sparked Foothills in what was easily the most anticipated high school baseball game of the year.

Catalina Foothills will take on Glendale O'Connor in Friday's state semifinals at Tempe Diablo Stadium at 4 p.m.

"It's pretty exciting," Martinez said.

Foothills had plenty of heroes Tuesday. Pitcher Kayvon Bahramzadeh worked three perfect innings in relief, and the Falcons played error-free in a tidy 100-minute game played at Salpointe Catholic High School.

But no player contributed more than Martinez, a former starter who has developed into one of the Falcons' best bats off the bench.

Tuesday's shot was the senior's biggest — and longest — hit yet.

Martinez took two quick strikes from Marcus Aguilar before depositing a knee-high fastball over the center field fence. Martinez's homer hit the batter's eye beyond the wall with such force that it bounced back toward the mound. Martinez was not sure how far the ball flew — "I don't know, 420?" he said — but figured he had hit it well.

Martinez's first home run of the season left his teammates wowed.

"That's the highlight of the season right there for him," Bahramzadeh said. "He rakes in BP, but this is the first time I've ever seen him hit like this in a game."

Martinez's homer plated Ashton Kent, who led off the inning with a walk, and Andy Hunter, who followed with a single. Bahramzadeh struck out, and Breck Ashdown popped out, prompting coach Lance Robertson to go to his bench.

Martinez said he had one thought as he walked to the plate: "Get ready to hit."

Bahramzadeh, meanwhile, was ready to put the game away. The Foothills ace retired all nine batters he faced after entering in the bottom of the fifth. Bahramzadeh, who also pitched in Saturday's first-round victory, did not tire.

"Adrenaline got me through those three innings," he said.

Sabino, meanwhile, was rendered helpless.

"It doesn't feel like we've lost yet," Sabino coach Rod Allen said. "We're so used to coming back."

The Sabercats posted four runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 lead. Eric O'Brien walked to begin the inning, and Travis Jones followed with a home run to right field. Jake Hanson was hit by a pitch; after Justin Zumwalde flew out, Jimmy Curtis ripped a two-run shot.

The Sabercats appeared to have the game in control. Martinez's pinch hit changed that.

"Too bad," Allen said, "we don't have double-elimination."