Calvary Chapel’s title dream realized

Calvary Chapel wrote the final chapter to a storybook season Saturday with a 6-4 victory over Pahranagat Valley to claim the Class 1A state baseball championship at Henderson International School.

The Lions finished the season undefeated against 1A teams, allowing a total of five runs against same-level opponents.

"It's not all about winning. This one is for the whole Calvary Chapel community, from the faculty to the church and to all the families," Lions coach Glen Evans said. "It was wonderful to be led by a great bunch of young men, and I feel lucky to be a part of it."

Cory Welch led off the game with a ground-rule double, Robert Welch was hit by a pitch and Cameron Harper was walked to load the bases.

Cleanup hitter Nick Kingham's two-run double started the scoring for the Lions, and Trevor Hall hit a sacrifice fly to give the Lions a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

In the second, Robert Welch doubled in a run, and Harper's sacrifice fly brought home Cory Welch in the fourth inning to give Calvary Chapel a 6-0 lead.

Cory Welch had allowed two hits and had struck out 10 batters in five innings, but the Panthers didn't fold.

After striking out the leadoff batter, Welch gave up a walk to Kobe Wade, then surrendered back-to-back home runs to William Vea and Jared Wadsworth.

Kyle Mulliner then singled and scored on a Colten Higbee double to cap a four-run sixth inning and cut Calvary Chapel's lead to 6-4.

But Welch regained his composure and retired the side in order in the seventh inning to dash Pahranagat Valley's comeback hopes.

"After giving up those runs, all I was thinking about was winning the game," Cory Welch said.

"I didn't care about how many home runs I gave up, as long as we won. I'm proud of how the team came together to finish the game."

Cory Welch went 2-for-3 with a double, two stolen bases and three runs and finished with the complete-game victory and 13 strikeouts.

Robert Welch went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs for the Lions.

CLASS 1A SOFTBALL

Pahranagat Valley scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to come from behind and beat Carlin 6-4 to win the title at Henderson International.

The Railroaders rallied in the seventh. Katie Thompson hit a two-run triple to cut the lead to one with no out.

After a comebacker to the mound and a hit batsman, Addie Canning got a strikeout and another ground-out to end the game.

CLASS 2A BASEBALL

Silver Stage edged host Needles, Calif., 6-5 to capture the state championship.

Needles advanced to the title game by pounding Lincoln County 12-2 earlier Saturday.

CLASS 2A SOFTBALL

Needles beat Battle Mountain for the second time in the tournament, defeating the Longhorns 4-2 to capture the state title.

Battle Mountain eliminated Lincoln County 7-3 earlier Saturday to move into the championship game.