The anticipated competitive baseball matchup between Scottsdale Chaparral and host Tolleson never materialized on Thursday night (April 4).

Chaparral hit the ball too hard and too often to allow that to happen.

The two-time defending state champion Firebirds scored eight runs on nine hits in the first inning and added four runs on six hits in the second and went on to post a 12-0 win in a game shortened to five innings because of the 10-run rule.

Chaparral, which had lost two in a row going in, raised its record to 11-9 while young-but-talented Tolleson (only four seniors) slipped to 15-4.

Pitcher Michael Diamond led the Firebirds’ offense with a two-run home run and a two-run triple. Colter Kilgour also drove in four runs with a two-run double and a two-run single.

Diamond also was solid on the mound, giving up three hits in four innings.

Chaparral coach Sam Messina went with left-hander Jack Peck in the bottom of the fifth. He gave up two walks and a hit to load the bases but still managed to preserve the shutout.

Chaparral sent 13 men to the plate in the first inning, with Kilgour and Collin Gabel getting two hits each.

The Firebirds had a chance to add to their lead in the fourth when two walks and a hit loaded the bases, but grounded into an inning-ending forceout.

Tolleson has a quick turnaround, playing host to Phoenix Maryvale on Friday night (April 5) at 6, while Chaparral will get a few days off before returning to action on Tuesday (April 9) with a night game at Goodyear Millennium.