Jesuit Outlasts Robinson In 6A-8 Championship Game

Alex Mocny went 2-for-3 and scored a run Thursday afternoon.

The Jesuit Tigers and the Robinson Knights squared off Thursday in the 6A-8 championship game, with the Tigers as the home team. The Tigers built a three-run lead late and held off a late rally from the Knights to hold on 3-2 and win the district championship.

The district title capped off a year of dominance in 6A-8 for the Tigers and now they are getting ready to take it to the next level.

“We pitched really well tonight,” said Tigers Manger Miguel Menendez. “Jack Anderson kept us in the game until we could scratch a couple of runs together and Jeff Hakanson came into the game with the bases loaded and nobody out and got the job done. I’m proud of our guys and hope we can keep the momentum up when the regional playoffs start next week.”

The Tigers (22-5) got the scoring started in the fourth inning when Thomas Bencivenga crossed the plate on a passed ball. The following inning, Steven Lugo hit into a double play, but it was enough to score Alex Mocny from third to give the Tigers the two-run advantage.

Down by two in the sixth, the Knights (15-9) cut the deficit in half when Matthew Chowning scored on play that saw Killian McCray successfully steal second base. The Knights fell behind 3-1 in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from Nick Ortega, but McCray brought the Knights to within one on a sacrifice that scored Joey Scionti in the seventh.

Jack Anderson started the game for the Tigers and pitched into the seventh inning, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and a walk, with four strikeouts. The Knights’ comeback was halted by Jeff Hakanson when he came in and got the final three outs, throwing just 11 pitches and striking out one as he picked up the save and secured the 6A-8 championship.

“Matthew Steckel threw a quality game for us tonight,” said Knights Manager Kevin McCray. “However, a couple of mistakes helped them with runs and they are too good of a team to help. The real difference in the game is we have to do a better job of competing at the plate. Now we just have to continue to get better and get ready to play a quality opponent from the Pasco district.”

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