Jeff Edgington
For West Valley Preps

The quest to a state title game appearance is a grind. The challenge in getting back for a second consecutive is twice as daunting.

Sometimes it takes unexpected turns and a few extra motivational factors to re-ignite a team. The Tommy Lowe storyline or the stepping down of a head coach (after this ends) have changed the perspective of a Mountain Ridge team that began the year simply trying to erase the memory of last year’s title game collapse.

Junior Matthew Liberatore dominated on the mound with 11 strikeouts and senior Nathan Gawelko deposited a two-out home run in the bottom of the sixth to help No. 3 Mountain Ridge defeat No. 14 Mountain Pointe 5-3 in Saturday’s 6A baseball first round game.

It wasn’t the prettiest win of the campaign but the victory gets them into the final 8 and now double-elimination format. They’ll face Gilbert Perry (a 2-0 winner over Yuma Kofa).

Depth has been key all season for Mountain Ridge. It will be an absolute necessity, especially on the mound, as the tournament moved to a double-elimination format.

“Only Matthew will be unavailable till Friday. We have a healthy team right now and arms to utilize which is great as we take a step forward,” Coach Billingsley said.

A final eight berth didn’t come easily. The Lions had to work.

With two away in the bottom of the third, Cameron Polich walked Spencer Campman. Then he hit Trent Turner. Three walks and two relief pitchers later, the host walked into to a two run lead at 3-1 without getting a hit.

Liberatore went back to work. He struck out six and scattered two runners from the fourth through the sixth when the game was a toss-up.

“I heat up as the game goes on. We weren’t even hitting our best today. Once we got that lead (in the third) I felt responsible for backing my guys up. That’s the mentality you have to have.” said Liberatore.

Gawelko’s first career home run in the bottom of the sixth gave the Mountain Lions a comfortable 5-1 advantage. That resonated with Coach Billingsley.

“Playing Horizon and Coach of the Year (Matt Denny) with Mountain Pointe helps us get better. Nathan is an all-Region player first-team. I expect that from him. That was a crucial hit there to give us insurance late,” said Billingsley.

Liberatore tried to go the distance but was lifted after a walk put him over the pitch-count limit with two outs. After allowing a two run HR to Jaydon Brooks Nolan Ruff got the final out.

Mountain Ridge (21-9) will face Damian Tippett’s Perry Pumas at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Maryvale Baseball Complex. They’ve met to start this season already — a 7-1 win for Ridge.

Mountain Pointe’s first season under former Greenway coach Denny concludes in the first round. The Pride (16-13) pulled an upset to get in the main bracket but ran in to a crafty lefty.