Sameer Malla is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Canyon High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – The Independence Patriots ran through their entire lineup twice within the first three innings, then hung on to defeat their 5A Central rivals, North Canyon, 12-6 at Independence.

“We're in a slump. Period. Period.” So said North Canyon head coach Jeff Fierro said after the Patriots lost their second straight game on back-to-back nights. What was a 5-1 record to start the season now has become a dogfight to finish with a winning record for North Canyon, with only four games left in the regular season.

The Rattlers were rattled early, as North Canyon freshman pitcher Jorge Cordero threw 20 balls to only 14 strikes in a four-run, three-hit, two hit-by-pitch, one walk first inning. What was a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning quickly evaporated four Patriot batters into the game. Soon the score was 6-1.

“We had our number one guy on the mound, and he was having a hard time finding strikes,” Fierro continued. “And then, we're walking guys and I think we let them score four runs that first inning. We can't walk guys; we can't make errors.”

The avalanche of runs would continue in the bottom of the third inning. The Patriots doubled North Canyon’s deficit, using the Rattlers’ tactic that got North Canyon its 5-1 record: patience at the plate. Four walks and three singles later, the lead ballooned to 11-1.

“They played how I expected them to play today, but at home, they played more comfortably,” Independence head coach Darian Sanford said. “I'm pretty happy with the outcome.”

Independence starting pitcher Joel Lopez opened with a strong start, punching out five of his first eight batters, including striking out the side in the top of the second inning. The sophomore pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out eight on a healthy 65 pitches (49 of them strikes).

“My pitcher, Joel, gave us some good innings,” Sanford said. “He's been getting better every start. He's been one of our most consistent starters all year and he's a really young pitcher. But he has some good off-speeds, once his off-speed is working, he's a pretty tough pitcher to hit.”

Independence was playing at home under the lights for the first time ever, as the school installed stadium lights prior to this season, and Tuesday was the first night game for the team at home in school history.

“This is the first time that the kids are ever playing under the lights at home,” Sanford said. “We had a lot more energy today. So hopefully we can carry this on for next week.”

Independence utility playerjunior Levi Cypher believed that this team was sure to bounce back after its 6-3 loss to North Canyon last Friday.

“We're just a better team overall,” Cypher said. “Last game, we just didn't have it. We just didn't have it. Tonight's game, we played a way better game and we destroyed.”

Despite the loss, Fierro was optimistic his North Canyon squad did not wave the white flag, like it did in Monday’s 12-0, two-hit loss to the Williams Field Black Hawks (7-7). The Rattlers managed to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning on Tuesday, turning what was heading to be a mercy rule win into a seven-inning battle.

“One thing I was happy about is that we didn't lay down,” Fierro said. “We got down pretty big tonight and we didn't cave, so that's the bright spot. I think that's got to fuel us to our last four games. Hopefully, we can win those last four out and see where we're at, at the end of the year.”

North Canyon (7-6) will host the West Point Dragons (6-6) as part of a home-and-home affair on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. The rematch will occur next Tuesday at West Point.

As for Independence, the Patriots (7-6) will go on the road to face the Carl Hayden Falcons (5-5) on Tuesday afternoon.