Re-Serg-ant Kings top Skyline

At the time he hit it, Sergio Sanchez's fourth-inning home run seemed like little more than padding in a rout.

As it turned out, it was the difference maker in keeping the Kofa baseball team alive.

Sanchez, still battling a wrist injury that kept him off the field, off the mound and as the Kings' designated hitter, rocketed a two-run blast over the scoreboard in center, leading Kofa to a 9-7 win over No. 16 Phoenix-Skyline in a Class 5A Division II State Playoff loser bracket game on Tuesday.

The win pushes the No. 8 Kings into the second round of the bracket to face No. 4 Peoria-Sunrise Mountain at 4 p.m. Thursday at Peoria Baseball Stadium.

After the Kings' 3-2 loss at home to Tempe-Marcos de Niza, Kofa coach Richy Leon didn't expect Sanchez to play Tuesday.

But he did end up starting and scored twice, including on his blast which came in a five-run frame, putting Kofa up 7-2.

"We won by two, and he hit a two-run home run," Leon said. "You know he's going to get you some quality at-bats and smoke the ball at least once a game. And this time it happened to be a bomb with a runner on. Not only can you see what he provided, but I think the team feels better they have a guy sandwiched in there and we can do some things."

Sanchez said he was glad just to finally be able to play.

"It was really great," Sanchez said. "I always want to help my team out, and that was pretty big for me. I haven't seen live pitching in four games, so I was ready. Physically ready. Mentally ready. I wanted to play."

The Kings added two runs in the fifth to open a 9-2 lead when Claudio Valencia hit his second double of the game, capping a 2-for-3, one-run, three-RBI performance.

The Coyotes added two in the sixth off starter Blake Johnston, who lasted 5 and gave up four runs, two earned, and five hits. Gustavo Villegas escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the sixth, but ran into trouble in the seventh, letting three runs score.

Albert Alvarez came on with one out in the seventh, and allowed a run-scoring double to Kyle Lewis to cut the Kofa lead to 9-7 and brining tying run Kyle Schoonover to the plate, but he grounded out to second to end the game.

"It got too close for comfort, especially with our backs against the wall, win or go home," Leon said. "But Albert came in, and everybody did a heck of a job. We made the plays when we needed to, we got the hits when we needed to, which we hadn't done in a while."

Not only did he get the save, but Alvarez had his second straight 3-for-4 game. He hit a two-run double to go with two singles and a run.

Alvarez said he's been able to keep extra focus during his .750 postseason tear.

"I do it everyday in practice," Alvarez said. "If there's a guy on second, move him over, bring him in. It's what I do in practice, so what I do is pretend it's Leon (pitching) out there and go from there."

Kofa had 11 hits in the game including four total from eight and nine hitters Jared Helms and Cesar Valenzuela. Despite just one hit, Timmy Lee was on base four times and scored three runs.

"Most of the guys don't want to lose right now," Alvarez said. "Most of the guys are seniors, so we're really digging in."

Leon said either Simon Corea or Valencia will get the start Thursday. He said Sanchez - normally the team's ace - will not get the start.

No. 5 hitter Corea and No. 6 hitter Gustavo Albarran struggled for a second straight game and are now a combined 0-for-14 in the playoffs after both hit better than .450 during the regular season.

Leon said he's not worried about the duo recovering in Thursday's game.

"They're the heart of the order, and we talked to them about how it's a team concept," Leon said. "If a guy's not swinging it, someone else is going to pick it up. We had Valencia step it up, and obviously Sanchez and the other guys got some big hits. It's very seldom you get nine guys really, really stroking it. you're going to six or five. We'll work with them tomorrow, work on some things, and hopefully we'll get them all on the right track Thursday."