A big fifth inning by the Chino Valley baseball team pushed them past Payson to give them the 5-3 lead in Tuesday’s contest. But the Longhorns scratched out runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the score. Neither side could plate a run in the eighth inning or the ninth inning. In the bottom of the tenth, Chino Valley broke through when a wild pitch scored Caden Todd from third base to give them the 6-5 walk-off win.
Milo Rocha had two RBIs without getting a hit. Ryan LaMotte also had a two-RBI day. Freddie Garcia went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Luke Olson picked up the win in relief.
The Cougars are now 3-2-1 overall on the season. Chino Valley is off until next Monday – St. Patrick’s Day – when they host ALA West Foothills. The Cougars are also home next Tuesday versus Camp Verde before taking part in the Sand Devil Invitational March 21st and 22nd.