Photos: Buckeye Verrado edges powerhouse Nogales, 3-2, in Class 5A baseball championship
The third-seeded Vipers beat the top-seeded Apaches in Tuesday's Class 5A state baseball championship game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Demetrio Crisantes (7) sits at second base after being tagged out while Verrado's Tyler Acton (29) celebrates the third out during the bottom of the fifth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Dejected Nogales players stand on the side of field after their 3-2 lost against Verrado in the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Robert Gallego (10) reacts after being struck out while Verrado's Garrett Hicks (15) runs towards the mound to celebrate the Verrados 3-2 win against Nogales during the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Derek Montijo (2) celebrates after sliding to home plate during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Alan Durazo (44) safety reaches second base as Verrado's Tyler Acton (29) tries to tag out Durazo during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Verrado's Joseph Perez (16) celebrates on the field after winning 3-2 against Nogales in the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
A group of dejected Nogales players sit on the side of the field after their 3-2 lost against Verrado in the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Saul Soto (16) pitches during the top of the seventh inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
A member of the Nogales baseball coaching staff consoles emotional Nogales's Robert Gallego (10) while Nogales players watch the Verrado Vipers celebrate towards the stands after their 3-2 win against Nogales in the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Sergio Valverde (22) safely slides back to third base during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Alan Durazo (44) high-fives teammate Julio Ramos (15) after reaching home plate for Nogales second run of the game during the bottom of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Saul Soto (16) talks with emotional teammate Salvador Valenzuela (3) after Nogales lost 3-2 against Verrado in the Class 5A State Championship Game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Raenan Padilla (11) throws the ball to second base to tag out Verrado's Dominic Torres (23) during the top of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales’s Salvador Valenzuela pitches during the top of the second inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Robert Gallego (10) catches the ball while jumping in the air during the top of the fourth inning of the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
The Nogales Apaches cheer while huddling before the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Class 5A State Baseball Championship: Nogales and Verrado
Nogales's Salvador Valenzuela (3) warms-up before the Class 5A State Championship Game between No. 1 Nogales and No. 3 Verrado at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on May 17, 2022.
Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
"He kept us off balance," Nogales coach O.J. Favela said.