The Vista Grande Spartans (10-9) traveled from Casa Grande to face the Apache Junction Prospectors (4-11) on April 10. The Spartans had won seven of their last 10 going into the matchup, while the Prospectors were on a three-game losing streak.

Prospectors’ Pitcher Jacob Glazener only allowed one earned run through six innings. Unfortunately, a five-error game led to two unearned runs during his outing.

The Prospectors were able to strike first in the second off a sacrifice bunt by Sophomore Isaiah Carranza, which drove in outfielder Ace Ruiz.

A missed opportunity in the game came in the bottom of the sixth as the Prospectors had runners on first and second with no outs and only down by one run. After a strikeout and passed ball, the base runners were able to move to second and third, but back-to-back strikeouts squandered a chance to take the lead.

After the Spartans grabbed another run in the seventh, the Prospectors found themselves down to their last out. But an error on the Spartans third baseman put Sophomore Dylan Blackwood on first base. Then a single by Rhett Ruiz and an RBI infield single by Alric Branscom, third baseman Cody Clark stepped up to the plate as the winning run. Unfortunately he struck out on a check swing to end the game.

Editor’s note: Isaac Robertson is an intern who currently covers sports writing for Apache Junction Unified School District. He plans to attend Arizona State University with a major in sports journalism.