By Don Ketchum

Winning a state championship is great when you are hoisting the trophy and celebrating, but it can be a burden the following year as the next generation tries to live up to expectations for a possible repeat.

That hasn’t been the case for the Scottsdale Saguaro baseball program and its coach, Ryan Dyer, after the Sabercats captured the Class 4A Division I title in the 2009-10 school year.

“It has been a different experience for sure, but we have tried to address this on a daily basis with our coaching staff and our team,’’ Dyer said.

“We have painted a target on our backs, where everyone wants to beat us, and it has been exciting.’’

Cave Creek Cactus Shadows became the latest team to fall by the wayside on Tuesday (April 26) as Saguaro rolled to a 10-2 victory at home. Saguaro, the No. 1 team in power points entering the week, raised its record to 29-3. Cactus Shadows, No. 8 entering the week, slipped to 19-7.

“We are a well-balanced team,’’ Dyer said. “It all starts with the work ethic, and the players’ enjoyment of the game. They are pulling for each other, supporting each other.’’

Saguaro’s starting pitcher, left-hander Chris Freudenberg, got plenty of support in his five innings.

He left with a 7-0 lead, including a solo home run by batterymate Brandon Demerest in the second inning.

Freudenberg gave up one hit, struck out 10 and walked four. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning.

“He has been pitching better and better,’’ Dyer said.

The coach added that Saguaro has four other pitchers who are similar in style, not overpowering, but who can get the job done.

“They all want the ball,’’ he said.

The Sabercats scored twice in the third inning and four more times in the fourth, and added three runs in the sixth.

Demerest, Matt Morris and Reed Austin each drove in two runs for Saguaro.

Cactus Shadows scored on a double and an error in the sixth and another in the seventh on a single by Joey Ford.

Saguaro, which clinched the 4A-I Desert Sky Region title on Tuesday, has two games remaining in the regular season, at Apache Junction on Thursday (April 28) and a “home’’ game against Queen Creek on Monday (May 2) at the Diamondbacks’ new spring home, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale.

The 4A-I state tournament begins May 7.