Rosie Davis is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover high school sports for AZPreps365.com

The Sabercats wasted no time in taking control of the game, getting runs from senior Thomas DeChesaro and freshman Cam Caminiti in the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. 

Senior pitcher Brody Carrithers kept the Panthers scoreless for four innings, striking one out and only giving up two runs.

“All my breaking balls were on,” said Carrithers. “That’s what really helped me out.”

This is Carrither’s fifth appearance on the mound this season and he has a 3.86 ERA.  

Paradise Honors got on the board with a home run from Ethan Ashton that drove in Cross Summers in the top of the fourth to tie it up. This would be the last time the Panthers crossed the plate for the rest of the day.

Saguaro struck back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Billy Gregory singled and came around to score on a double from sophomore Chris Margarella, followed by a single from Carrithers. Junior Donavan Davis, who’s been off to a hot start for the Sabercats, closed the inning with a single to send Carrithers' pinch runner home. Davis is currently batting .379.

“Donavan’s hits have been awesome,” Carrithers said. “He’s one of the best in that nine spot. He’s got a great glove too. I can’t complain!”

Davis and DeChesaro made some athletic plays in the outfield during the fifth to hold a safe lead, before the Sabercats racked up seven runs to end the game after the sixth via the run rule. 

Paradise Honor's pitcher senior Camden Dixon walked three hitters in the sixth, making it easy for Saguaro to keep the bases loaded, scoring a run almost every at bat. DeChesaro, Caminiti, Davis, and Margarella made their way home for the last time. Seniors Aidan Bronska and Miles Crutchley put up their only runs of the night as well. 

Saguaro head coach Joe Muecke expected nothing less from his boys. 

“When you're playing good baseball, you always expect to win,” said Muecke. “We've got great momentum going as of late. I hope to get more games like today.”

Even when they weren't getting the looks, Muecke trusted the process the whole way. 

“We hit some balls hard early and didn't get the results that we wanted, but we kept our approach and finally got rewarded late in the game,” Muecke said. “It took us until the sixth to break it open, but it was nice to put that one away and get Brody a W.”

Muecke commends his seniors for the leadership roles that they have taken on this season. 

“Our senior captains, Thomas DeChesaro, Miles Crutchely, and Aidan Bronska have really led this team to where we are now and where we can go from here,” said Muecke. “They really are building a family culture for this team.”

Even in the dugout, the energy of the Saguaro baseball team was electric. They are a tight knit group of boys who make the most of their time out on the field. 

“We have a lot of fun, as you can tell,” said senior captain DeChesaro, who was the first one out of the dugout to cheer on his teammates and the last one dancing on the field.