BACK-TO-BACK UPSETS send Payette to the District Championship! Pirates stun Homedale 7-6 in EXTRA INNINGS!

The Pirates (now 14-10) pulled off another INCREDIBLE comeback victory, erasing a 4-run deficit to defeat Homedale (18-8) in Wednesday’s elimination game! After shocking #2 Cole Valley yesterday, Payette has now earned a championship showdown with undefeated Fruitland!

𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍:

Payette struck first with Jake Penfold’s single and steal of home in the first inning. Homedale surged ahead with a 4-run fourth featuring Carson Fine’s 2-RBI double, Wylee Bidiman’s RBI single, and a steal of home to make it 6-2!

Down to their final outs in the seventh, the resilient Pirates rallied to tie it with clutch hits from Penfold, Christy, and Phillips! In the eighth, Jaxon Rodriguez drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the winning run!

𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒:

• 15 total hits in the comeback victory
• Jahzyon Sylva: PERFECT 4-for-4 at the plate from the leadoff spot
• Jake Penfold: Multiple hits, 2 stolen bases
• Gauge Christy: 2-for-5, team-leading 2 RBIs
• Michael O’Campo: Multiple hits
• 4 stolen bases
• Errorless defense (Darrien Pecunia with 8 flawless chances)

𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒:

• 11 total hits
• Donovan Uranga: Led team with 3-for-4 performance
• Carson Fine & Lukas Hall: 2 RBIs each
• Wylee Bidiman: 2-for-3
• Chance Martell: 2 stolen bases (team had 8 total)
• Turned one double play

𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆:

• Jake Penfold (Payette): 3⅔ innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 strikeouts, 3 walks
• Gauge Christy (Payette): 4⅓ innings relief, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk (WIN)
• Lukas Hall (Homedale): 6⅓ innings, 10 hits, 6 runs, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks

𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄:

The #4 seed Pirates continue their magical postseason run! After back-to-back upset victories in extra innings, Payette has earned a championship matchup with undefeated Fruitland on Thursday.

With their tournament run over, Homedale now joins Cole Valley in the waiting game as both teams watch to see if they receive at-large bids to the Regional Tournament.