#6 Queen Creek 4 vs. Liberty 2

In a highly anticipated matchup, the #6 Queen Creek Bulldogs faced off against the undefeated Liberty Lions, who started the season on fire at 3-0. Despite being out-hit by Liberty, the Bulldogs emerged victorious with a final score of 4-2, With a ESPN Top 10 play to close out the game on a deep fly ball to the left field wall where sophomore outfielder Jordan Ransom made the catch. 

‼️BALL GAME‼️

Queen Creek goes on to win 4-2 with a game saving play at the wall in left to seal the deal.@prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/BaEzDJV2P6

— Prep Baseball Arizona (@PrepBaseballAZ) March 7, 2024

Corner infielder Jesse Aguirre played a pivotal role, contributing an early RBI that gave the Bulldogs the lead on a hot shot into shallow left. Later in the game, sophomore Jet Berry delivered a crucial two-out hit, driving the ball into the left-center field gap to extend the Bulldogs' advantage. Berry has shown to be one of the top hitting infielders in the state in the 26' class and is a high follow for the Arizona staff. 

26’ MIF Jet Berry
(Queen Creek)@PBR_Uncommitted with ? in his veins shoots a 2 out RBI single into left field to give QC the lead 3-2.@JetBerry5 ll @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/3sMg92lKGX

— Prep Baseball Arizona (@PrepBaseballAZ) March 7, 2024

The defining moment for the Lions came in the fifth inning when Liberty's Jacob Croxford, a Central Arizona commit, stepped up to the plate with a runner on, and launched a game-tying home run over the left field wall. Croxford has been on fire in the early 2024 season, boasting a .458 batting average with impressive stats, including 14 RBI, 4 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs.

?Prep Baseball Nuke Cam

24’ OF Jacob Croxford
(Liberty)@CAC_BaseballDB9 commit TIES it up with a shot to deep LF for a 2-run ? ‼️ we head into the top of the 6th 2-2.@Jacob_Croxford1 ll @SheaSbranti pic.twitter.com/sRiuMqvoVH

— Prep Baseball Arizona (@PrepBaseballAZ) March 7, 2024

Liberty's Braden Watson, a Hawaii commit and standout catcher, showcased his offensive prowess with a series of quality at-bats for the Lions. Watson had a Double to deep center field, a line drive out to the left fielder and a deep fly ball to left that was feet from tying the game up in the last inning. 

25’ C Braden Watson
(Liberty)@HawaiiBaseball commit with a ? over the center fielders head for a standup double. @BradenWatson35 ll @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/MpIXfh7thq

— Prep Baseball Arizona (@PrepBaseballAZ) March 7, 2024

Despite the Bulldogs securing the win, both teams displayed remarkable talent and set the stage for an exciting season ahead in the Arizona baseball landscape. Would be an exciting matchup to see these two cross paths down the road in the AIA playoffs. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Arizona Rising Stars ID	AZ	04/13	Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Rising Stars ID - Session 2	AZ	04/27	Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, AZ
Mesa Summer ID	AZ	05/29	Desert Ridge High School - Mesa, AZ

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