It took nearly a week, but the Roadrunners finally completed a suspended game with Payson on Tuesday afternoon, April 26, by scoring one run in the bottom of the 12th inning to win the game 11-10.
The game, which began April 20, had to be suspended due to darkness with the two teams knotted at 10 apiece through 10 innings. Holbrook held an early lead at 6-1 through the first two frames and still led 9-4 after six innings. Payson came roaring back with a grand slam in the top of the seventh and eventually took a one run lead at 10-9. Trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh, the Roadrunners managed to push in one run, sending the game to the extended time, which happened to last for seven days before they completed.
The Roadrunners wrapped up the game with 11 runs on 16 hits, made three errors and left 14 on base. The Longhorns countered with 10 runs on 13 hits, made four errors and left seven stranded.
Trevor Barton pitched 81/3 innings, facing 34 Longhorn batters. He gave up six runs on nine hits with six strikeouts. Nick Robinson worked the final 32/3 innings, facing 19 batters. He allowed four runs, on four hits with four strikeouts and walked two.
At the plate, Gabe Gabaldon was 1 for 7 with an RBI and scored once. Barton went 3 for 7 with a triple, a double and scored three runs. Cade Maestas was 2 for 6 with a triple and two RBIs. Robinson went 4 for 6 with three doubles and four RBIs. Michael O’Brian went 2 for 6 with a double and the game winning RBI. Shane McGraw was 1 for 4 with an RBI.
The Roadrunners will know soon where they finished in the final power rankings and who their first round opponent will be on Friday, April 29, the first day of the Division III state tournament. Prior to the Payson win on Tuesday, Holbrook was ranked 13th. If they can get past their first round opponent, they will play in the second round on Saturday. All the state tournament games will be played at the Surprise Sports Complex.
