Jeff Edgington
For West Valley Preps

Jarin Davis threw a complete game two-hit shutout and Max Nebel did a little on both sides to complete Northwest Christian's 4-0 3A baseball semifinal victory over Sahuarita Friday at Surprise Sports Complex.

Northwest Christian finds itself back in their third state title appearance in four seasons.  It will be the Crusaders fourth baseball championship appearance in school history. They have titles in 2015 and 1995 (1A).

The No. 8 Crusaders will face No. 6 Safford, who blitzed No. 2 Payson 13-0 Friday, for the 3A state championship at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Surprise Stadium.

Northwest Christian Coach J.C. McKee and Davis said they don't know much about the Bulldogs.

Entering the game against the pitching-heavy Mustangs, the Crusaders knew they'd have to come out swinging.

"They have some great pitching. I had to bring it tonight. We are feeling confident right now," said Davis.

They got the memo with four hits in the first two innings, including a Nebel RBI knock to break open the scoring. Coincidentally that run would stand.

Davis, just a junior, was dominant in a game he had to be, scattering just four base-runners all evening. The first of which did not come until the fourth inning.

"Jarin was phenomenal tonight and we needed that. Hats off to Sahuarita they've been a real challenge for us in recent history," said Coach McKee.



It was the fourth straight year these teams met late in the playoffs.. The Crusaders survived quarterfinal matches in 2014 and 2015 and lost a 2-1 pitchers' duel in the 2016 semifinals.

The biggest spark from the Mustangs lineup came in the fifth. Sahuarita worked the bases loaded with a leadoff double and then a few batters later drew Davis' lone two walks. Two defensive web gems got them out of it unscathed.

Noah Gray made a diving stop at shortstop for the initial out followed by a multi-run saving back-handed stab by the first baseman Nebel.  McKee was ecstatic about the defense behind his ace.

"Those two defensive plays, specially the stab by Max, aren't in the box score but man just outstanding. We're talking tie game (at least) if not down a run."

In the Top of the seventh Northwest Christian was able to eek out two more via a passed-ball and a errant-throw after a strikeout. It didn't really matter the way Davis was dealing.