SUNSET BASEBALL: Fiechtner’s monster day lifts Palo Verde by Desert Oasis

Fiechtner, already with an academic scholarship to the University of Alabama in his pocket, opened the postseason in grand style on Tuesday.

Fiechtner drove in six runs, including a three-run homer in the fifth inning, as Palo Verde earned a 13-10 win over visiting Desert Oasis in the Division I Sunset Region baseball tournament.

The Panthers (18-13), who won just 12 games last season, host Cimarron-Memorial (13-17) at 3:30 Wednesday. The Spartans shocked defending state champion Bishop Gorman, 3-1.

Fiechtner dedicated his homer to his mom, Amber, who was celebrating her birthday.

“It was a special day all around,” Fiechtner said. “This team never quits and battles to the end. It was a fun game, and I’m enjoying it all until the end.”

Fiechtner’s coach, Joe Hallead, says all 28 members are indeed special.

“We have a special group of young men who refuse to quit,” Hallead said. “They have bought into the theme to never quit and they go out and play hard every day. Yes, it looks like a slowpitch softball score, but we got the job done.”

That job appeared to be in jeopardy, as the Diamondbacks had two runners on with one out in the seventh. Wesley Cosby’s sliding catch robbed Isaiah Raiano of a hit for the second out. Aaron Roberts’ hard single to center loaded the bases, but Palo Verde reliever Tucker Thomason got Nic Lane to fly out to center to end the game.

Palo Verde trailed, 4-0 and 9-4 early but never wavered.

“There’s no quit in this team, and all contribute,” Hallead said. “Of course, it starts with our seniors and they set a great example. I can’t say enough about the way Cobi played today.”

With the game tied at 10-10 in the fifth, Asher Bouldin walked with one out, and the Diamondbacks went to Bryson Stott to face the top of the Panther order.

Blake Porter greeted Stott with a base hit to right field, putting two men on base. On the very next pitch, Fiechtner drilled a homer to left-center, and Palo Verde led from there.

Cole Schaefer led Desert Oasis with three RBIs.

The Diamondbacks (19-12) play at Gorman (27-6) in an elimination game at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Cimarron-Memorial 3, Bishop Gorman 1 — At Gorman, Justin Cuddeback hit a two-run double in the top of the first inning and the Spartans held on to top the Gaels.

Alexander Marco was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI for Cimarron, which tacked on a run in the second off Gorman starter Matt Mitchell.

Diego Cardoso went the distance to get the win. He scattered eight hits, struck out five and walked two.

Myles Denson went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Nick Ruggeroli was 2-for-3 for the Gaels.

Mitchell allowed seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.

Centennial 1, Arbor View 0 — At Centennial, Hayden Rosenkrantz fired a two-hitter as the Bulldogs edged the Aggies.

Rosenkrantz struck out 10 with three walks.

Centennial’s run came with two outs in the first inning, when courtesy runner Josh Sierra scored on a passed ball.

Rosenkrantz started the rally with a one-out single and was replaced by Sierra, who went to third on a single by Frank Sessa.

Brady Borden went the distance for Arbor View, allowing five hits. He struck out nine and walked six.

The Bulldogs (24-9) host Shadow Ridge (19-12) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Aggies (16-15) play at Bonanza (18-12) in an elimination game, also at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Shadow Ridge 11, Bonanza 0 — At Shadow Ridge, Isaiah Blaylock was 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs and threw a three-hitter to lead the Mustangs to the five-inning win over the Bengals.

Blaylock struck out two with one walk.

Chris Opolka went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and Justin Lee was 2-for-2 with two RBIs for Shadow Ridge.

Koby Millner went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs for the Mustangs.