Sebastian Sanchez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Mountain High School for AZPrep365.com.

Senior Kyle Burchowycz’s two-run homer in the sixth inning led Shadow Mountain to a 4-2 season-opening win over Eastmark on Tuesday.

“My first two ABs (at-bats) were really bad,” Burchowycz said. Not letting the previous swings affect his next at-bat, Burchowycz was locked in at the plate with the game tied. “Saw the ball I wanted and sent it over the fence,” he said.

Opening the season with a victory was a huge confidence boost for the Matadors. “It’s just a good way to start the season,” coach Troy Farnsworth said.

In the top of the third, Eastmark was in prime position to extend its lead with runners on second and third with no outs. Shadow Mountain struck out Jaxon Desotell and Caden Rosenbaugh, then picked off Holden Alcorn at home plate. Through five innings, tied at two, the Matadors and Firebirds battled it out in a close game. 

“Just need to make the plays,” Farnsworth said. “We did have a couple of mistakes we were able to overcome. We need to continue to play good baseball.”

Burchowycz wasn’t the only Kyle to hit a home run against Eastmark. Starting pitcher Kyle Anderson was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate – a triple in the second, a solo home run in the fourth to tie the game and a walk in the sixth with a stolen base.

“He threw me a hanging fastball, up and in, and I just turned on it,” Anderson said of the home run.

On the mound, Anderson pitched six innings with 11 strikeouts. “He battled it out from start to finish. I was really happy for him,” Farnsworth said.

Matadors Kyle Anderson pitching to Eastmark. (Sebastian Sanchez photo/AZPreps365)

The Firebirds had one last chance in the seventh inning to rally. Junior pitcher Trenten Seibert, however, got two strikeouts and did not allow a hit to seal the victory.

“They’re (Eastmark) a good, fundamental team,” Farnsworth said. “They have a lot of guys that can swing it and make a lot of good plays in the field.”

Line Score (seven innings)

Eastmark Firebirds	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2
Shadow Mountain Matadors	0	1	0	1	0	2	x	4

 

Before the first official game of the season, both teams participated in a four-game tournament to get reps against different squads. Eastmark went 3-1 in the D-Backs Chase Your Dreams Baseball Classic. In two of the three victories, the Firebirds won by wide margins, 11 and 15 runs. Meanwhile, Shadow Mountain went 1-3 in the Cougar Classic Baseball Tournament, winning its last game against Desert Edge. (Odyssey Institute vs Shadow Mountain)

Burchowycz and Anderson said the team's defense and confidence improved throughout the tournament. “At the beginning, it was rough. We were struggling. This game showed that the tournament helped us put it all together,” Burchowycz said.