No. 1 Salpointe held on to beat No. 16 Coconino 5-4 in the first round of the 4A state playoffs Saturday at home. The victory moves the Lancers to the second round where the team will host No. 8 Bradshaw Mountain on Monday, May 1. Bradshaw Mountain eliminated No. 9 Rio Rico 3-2 in eight innings at home to advance. The double-elimination format begins in the second round.

Salpointe scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a big lead but that was erased in the fourth on a grand slam from Tyler Ragan. Salpointe pitcher Diego Garcia held on from there with six strikeouts to preserve the win.

Josh Burke got things started for Salpointe in the bottom of the third inning with a 2-out single. Roman Basurto drew a walk and then Jose Simon delivered a double to score two runs. Shawn Barros followed with an RBI single and Gunner Geile reached on catcher’s interference. Izaiah Moraga doubled to make it 5-0.

Jacob Clouse reached on an error with one out to put Coconino in business in the top of the fourth. Quinn Mickelson doubled and then Hayden Mickelson walked to load the bases with one out. Garcia picked up a strikeout for the second out but Ragan followed that up with a grand slam to cut the lead down to 5-4. Garcia limited Coconino to two hits the rest of the way and the Lancers only managed one hit to keep the game close.

Connor Calahan got the start for Coconino and Jordan Snider, Angelo Baca and Jacob Clouse saw action on the mound. The Lancers only struck out once in 21 at bats. Quinn Mickelson went 2-3 with a double and Ragan went 2-3 with four RBI on a home run.

Coconino finished 12-14 on the year and Salpointe is now 22-8. Bradshaw Mountain is 23-4.