Ben Wiley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Betty Fairfax High School for AZPreps365.com.

LAVEEN —The Betty Fairfax Stampede got the last laugh in a back-and-forth non-conference Friday afternoon matchup against the Ironwood Eagles, dramatically scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Ironwood, 6-5.

Several defensive errors resulted in the Stampede facing a 3-0 deficit at the end of two innings. After rallying to tie the score, another Fairfax defensive error—this one occurring with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the sixth inning—allowed Ironwood to reclaim a two-run lead.

But just when Ironwood thought it had the game sealed, the scale tipped again.

The hosts saved their best offensive inning for when they needed it the most, rallying with a mix of singles, walks and two balks. Fairfax junior Alexander Tovar’s two-run single to left field tied the game, setting the stage for his teammate’s heroics.

Senior Daniel Alaniz, who delivered the walk-off infield single, explained his mindset going into the game-deciding at-bat.

“My approach was just to stay simple,” Alaniz said. “At the current opportunity, we did not need a home run so I just stayed nice and simple and relaxed.” 

Alaniz’s game-winning at-bat wouldn’t have happened without Fairfax shaking off its early struggles. The Stampede regrouped after a rocky start, slowly clawing their way back.

Given how the first two innings unfolded, Fairfax's comeback was surprising. The team’s defense was not doing its starting pitcher Jason Castillo any favors. Meanwhile, Eagles starting pitcher Sebastian Rodriguez cruised through his first two innings, finishing with six strikeouts and only one earned run over five innings pitched.

As the game continued, the pendulum slowly swung to the other side. Castillo shut down the Eagles’ offense during his final two innings on the mound, giving his team the chance to close the gap. Fairfax benefited from its opponent’s defensive mistakes, scoring its first two runs via a wild pitch and a fielding error.

Trailing until the very last moment, Fairfax never gave up, a testament to the resilient spirit fostered within the team by coach Cody Van Horne.

“One of the things that I have kind of been talking to them about is that in order to build a forest, you have to have many trees and you can't be a stand-alone tree,” Van Horne said. “And so they've really taken to that this week and they battled through. It took all of them. It wasn't a single person, there were some mistakes, but as a team they battled back and it was a good victory. I think it was the most complete win overall for us.”

Heartbreak for young Eagles team

For the majority of this matchup, the Eagles were the better team. The visitors played cleaner defense and posed a stronger threat at the plate as evidenced by their multiple innings featuring hitters reaching base and causing havoc on the basepaths. The Eagles struck out one less time, drew three more walks and stole six more bases. Junior Lane Stilwell alone recorded three steals.

So, the fact that it all unraveled at the end undoubtedly stings for an Eagles team that skews young with Rodriguez its lone senior. Nevertheless, coach Rafeal Sanchez’s team can take solace in the positive aspects of their play, while still looking for ways to improve.

“We want to have a better approach at the plate, you know, putting the ball in play more,” Sanchez said. “ I think some of us tried to play a little bit of hero ball—hitting the ball harder than we really needed to. We are really learning how to finish. But again, with us being as young as we are, I think we'll get there. It's just this is a new experience for a lot of kids to play high-level baseball at 14 years old.”

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Betty Fairfax

Alaniz’s walk-off hit, his third hit in four at-bats, helped keep his batting average this season over .440.

Tovar’s three-inning, no-earned-runs relief appearance was his best pitching performance of the season.

Ironwood

Stilwell’s three stolen bases tied a season-high in this category.

Rodriguez pitched four more innings than his last appearance, although his outing against Fairfax paled in comparison to his seven-inning, 14-strikeout masterpiece in his most recent start against Cactus.

Up Next 

Ironwood (3-10, 1-2)’s next game is at Centennial (10-7, 4-0) on Monday at 3:45 p.m.

Betty Fairfax (6-8, 2-4) continues the homestand on Monday vs. North (3-10, 2-3) at 3:45 p.m.