CDO, Tucson collide again for baseball title

Relief pitcher Tommy Vega got the last out on a strikeout, CDO’s Francis recalled, securing the Dorados’ 8-6 win.

“Now he’s coaching first base for Oscar,” Francis said.

Tucson’s Romero, meanwhile, remembers his incredible pitching staff that season, anchored by future major-leaguer Tom Wilhelmsen. But the star senior was battling strep throat in the playoffs and lasted just 34 pitches that day.

“He didn’t get out of the first inning, I remember that clearly,” Romero said. “I thought we were going to get run-ruled by CDO.”

Thirteen years later, it’s time for the sequel.

The No. 3 Dorados and top-seeded Tucson square off for the fourth time this spring and second time in a week on Tuesday at Tempe Diablo Stadium in the Division II state championship game.

The first pitch of the winner-take-all clash is set for 4:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on FSAZ Plus.

“I have nothing but the utmost respect and friendship for Oscar,” said Francis, who is in his first season back at CDO. “It’s bittersweet to beat a friend like that, but we’re going to do what we’ve got to do and I know Oscar is going to do the same.”

The Dorados (30-2) are trying to capture their eighth title in program history. They’ve already beaten the Badgers twice this year, including an 8-5 victory last Thursday to reach their first title game since 2009.

Tucson had to play again two days later and outlasted second-seeded Salpointe Catholic in a 10-inning thriller to reach its first title game since 2002.

“It was a chess match, it was a classic” Romero said. “Our guys believe they can play with anybody and that’s been the big factor.”

Romero expects another chess match on Tuesday, as the Badgers try to win their record 30th state crown, but first since 1988.

Tucson (28-5) beat CDO 3-1 on April 18 as junior pitcher Jose Contreras struck out 12 and gave up four hits for the complete-game win. The left-hander rekindled that magic last week until the fifth inning, when the Dorados put together a six-run inning.

“It’s going to be a matchup of whether or not our pitching can hold down their hitters,” Romero said. “If we can stay in the ball game at the end, and push some things through, it’ll be a good day for Tucson High. But if we don’t have an answer for their hitters, it’ll be a great day for CDO.”

Regardless of the winner, this season will be remembered as one of Southern Arizona’s best ever.

The final six teams in the Division II state tournament were all from the Tucson area. It is the first time since 2002 that two local teams are meeting in a big-school championship game and the sixth time overall.

“It’s been interesting to watch because there’s just so many good players spread out around Southern Arizona,” said Francis, who has seven players signed to play in college.

“I can’t speak about Phoenix and what’s up north because I just haven’t seen them but I know down here it’s unbelievable.”