TEMPE — Kino Lorona was 3 for 5 but his bases-clearing, two-out, three-RBI triple down the left field line in the ninth inning sealed the deal for Hayden as they made it a three-peat with a 9-6 victory over Bagdad on Saturday night.

It is the 14th state championship in program history for the Lobos (23-5, 7-1 1A East), which outscored their opponents 57-13 during the historic 1A state playoff run this month.

“Coming into the game, we knew it was going to be tough. We had to execute. We fell down and had to get up. I pray for that,” Lorona said on the field after accepting the trophy with his team.

The junior said he was looking fastball from Bagdad pitcher Michael Langston with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth.

“He threw it to me high and inside and I took that baby for a ride,” Lorona said.

Tyler Garner, who was 2 for 6 on the evening, capped the four-run rally in the ninth with a single to score Lorona and the Lobos have now outscored their opponents 36-17 in the last three 1A state championship games at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Although Saturday night’s contest was the closest contest yet, Hayden fans can thank senior pitcher J.J. Manriquez for nearly throwing four shutout innings to end the game.

“I’ve always been a composed pitcher. I’ve been taught that. I’ve always had faith in my team, and my ability. I give all grace to God. He’s given me the power, strength and ability to take that mound,” Manriquez said about his effort Saturday, adding that he felt “on top of the world” after winning three straight titles and was happy to see his teammate Lorona drive in the game-winning runs.

“I couldn’t be prouder. He’s an amazing athlete. He’s a stud. He deserves everything,” Manriquez said of Lorona.

Manriquez played a significant role at the plate as well, going 1 for 1 with three walks and two runs scored.

The two clubs went back and forth offensively for much of the night, with Bagdad (23-4, 9-0 1A West) plating three during a fourth-inning rally. Mikey Langston’s suicide squeeze play tied the game at 4-4, then Aaron Landers’ sacrifice fly to score Ezrah Aguilar gave the Sultans the lead 5-4.

In the top of the sixth, Alejandro Waddell pulled off the Little League play, stealing home plate to tie the game 5-5 after his teammate just took off from first to distract the pitcher.

In extra innings, both Bagdad and Hayden had several chances to score, including the Lobos’ who were denied by two great plays from Destry Owings, one of which cut down the runner at home plate with the infield drawn in.

But Lorona would break the tie late in the ninth, denying Bagdad’s chances at a program’s third title, the first since 2018.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.