When Sedona Red Rock High School’s baseball team hosted Glendale Prep on Friday, April 23, the game served two purposes. It was a chance for the Scorpions to snap a three-game losing streak and at least help solidify their spot in a potential state play-in game. It was also Senior Night, giving the parents and fans a chance to honor the seven seniors on the Sedona team.
They accomplished both.
The Scorpions defeated the Griffins 13-5. When the game was over, the parents honored the seniors with a postgame ceremony. That gave the seniors on the team a chance to reflect on what the last four years [or more, in some cases] has meant to them.
“A lot of us came from Big Park [Community School]” outfielder Dakota Farrar said. “And over these four years we’ve really grown together and become more of a team than we ever were.”
“Being out here, these guys are my best friends, out here with them for a last ride,” second baseman Caleb Jennings said. “To play my favorite sport with my favorite people — it’s great.”
The postgame ceremony would have been a good time to reflect regardless of the result. But the fact that it came after a win made those reflections even more enjoyable. And while the 13-5 final score would indicate that it was an easy win for Sedona, it wasn’t quite so simple.
The Scorpions trailed 3-1 after three innings. They tied it with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Griffins went right back on top with a run in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of that inning, the SRRHS bats came to life with the seniors sparking the rally.
Jaiah Grondin got things going with a lead-off single. The next batter, Nate Ross, delivered a triple to score Grondin and tie the game. Matt Capozzi then singled Ross home to put the Scorpions ahead. Jamie Alagna then reached on an error and got to second on the back end of a double steal, with Capozzi stealing third. Farrar singled both Capozzi and Alagna home, then was driven in himself by Jennings, putting Sedona up 8-4.
Glendale scored a run in the top of the sixth inning, but the Scorpions responded with another five-run rally to put the game away.
Every senior had at least one hit. Jennings and Capozzi both had three. Alagna, Grondin, Ross and Farrar each had two while Joey Johnson had one. Farrar and Capozzi both drove in three runs, as well. Ross went the full seven innings on the mound. While he surrendered five runs, only one was earned. He allowed only three hits with two walks and struck out eight.
“It’s the capstone — this is the pinnacle,” Ross said. “These are my brothers. I’ve known these guys since we were little. It started somewhere and it’s got to end somewhere. But I’m blessed to play with these guys.”
His catcher had similar sentiments.
“To be able to come out here and practice and play every day means everything to me,” Capozzi said. Baseball has been my life. To play with these guys means so much, just to be out here with them. I credit them for everything.”
Of course, the season is not quite over. The Scorpions will play again on Wednesday, April 28 with a 3 p.m. road game against Heritage Academy Laveen. They’ll then wrap up the regular season on Friday, April 30 with a 3:45 p.m. game against North Pointe Prep.
The win over Glendale moved Sedona to 6-6 overall with a 6-3 mark in the 2A Conference and 2A Central Region.
As of the rankings on Tuesday, April 27, the Scorpions were ranked as the No. 18 2A team. With that, a good final week should secure the SRRHS team a spot in the top 24, necessary for a spot in a state play-in game.
And while the Sedona players obviously hope to extend the season as long as possible, they know that the end is near. With that, they’re hoping to make the most out of the remaining time on the diamond.
“These last four years have been everything,” Johnson said. “After high school we all go our separate ways. This is kind of our last time to all be together and play ball together.”
“Even before these four years, we’ve known everyone on the team since Little League — including the West Sedona kids,” Alagna said. “We’ve competed against them. Now we’re competing with them. It’s kind of surreal right now to look back on all of that. But at the end of the day, I couldn’t be more proud to call these guys my brothers.”
