In the bottom of the seventh inning, Thunder Mountain High School shortstop Maxie Saceda-Hurt prevented a potential hit with some quick thinking and even quicker hands. Juneau-Douglas’ Morgan Balovich hit a sharp grounder toward Saceda-Hurt, who after fumbling the ball briefly, picked it up with her throwing hand and reached out to touch second base with the ball.
Skylar Hickok was out at second base and the Falcons’ would close the game out two outs later, winning 11-9 to reach the Region V championship game Saturday night.
Each team scored seven runs through two innings as both teams came out swinging.
Nina Fenumiai hit a home run in the first inning for TMHS and Maddie Johnson hit a grand slam in the second for JDHS.
The Crimson Bears took a 9-7 lead in the third inning.
TMHS fought back in the fourth inning though. Kyra Jenkins Hayes hit a line drive to left-center that was nearly caught by centerfielder Asianna Mazon. Instead, the ball zoomed past the freshman’s glove and rolled deep into the outfield, giving enough time for Saceda-Hurt to score from second and Alondra Echiverri from first.
Over the next two innings, Jenkins Hayes pressed JDHS into ground balls and pop flies to keep the score tied at nine-all.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Saceda-Hurt drew a walk before Echiverri hit an inside-the-park home run aided by two over-throws. Echiverri was halfway between third and home plate when Balovich collected the ball near home plate. As Echiverri retreated to third, the throw to pick her off was wide of Sami Good, and Echiverri turned back for home. In all, the play lasted just 20 seconds, but seemed much longer.
“I was proud of them the whole way,” JDHS coach Lexi Razor said. “They never gave up, there was some frustrating calls but they kept positive and kept doing everything they needed to do.”
Echiverri led her team with four hits as the Falcons’ made 15 total. JDHS recorded 11 hits in the game. Jenkins Hayes mustered eight strike outs in six innings of pitching.
JDHS played Sitka on Saturday afternoon in an effort to keep their season alive.
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
Thunder Mountain’s Alondra Echiverri throws to first base Friday against JDHS at Melvin Park. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
JDHS’ Mia Loree pitches against Thunder Mountain’s Peyton Harp, Friday, May 26 at Melvin Park. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
