The Mountain Pointe Pride advanced to the 6A state championship tournament after defeating Red Mountain 10-5 Wednesday night.

The Pride got off to a hot start, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning. Senior Alex Bookman smashed a three-run home run to straight away center after back-to-back singles by Josh Wunnenburg and Jonny Weaver.

The Pride capped off the six-run inning with a two-RBI double by Carson Tucker, who then scored on the very next pitch from an RBI triple courtesy of Jaydon Brooks.

“They competed,” Mountain Pointe head coach Matt Denny said. “They did a really good job in the first inning, jumping out to a big lead.”

Red Mountain came right back with a strong first inning of its own after scoring four runs.

Junior Tyler Rice started the rally with a leadoff double, who eventually was brought home on an RBI single from Austin Duffy. A double, two singles and a walk allowed Red Mountain to pile on three more runs in the inning.

“I was proud of our kids to go down six and then come back with a four spot,” Red Mountain head coach Ross Pagel said.

After the offensive-friendly first inning, both teams brought in relief pitchers to put the game back into order.

Connor Thurman of Red Mountain came out of the bullpen hot, as he struck out the side in the second inning.

Thurman’s counterpart, Tristan Flores, pitched a dominant 4 1/3 innings, only allowing one run on seven hits.

Mountain Pointe put the game out of reach with four runs in the fourth inning. Red Mountain was threatening to come back in the bottom of the sixth inning after scoring a run and loading the bases loaded with one out. Unfortunately, Red Mountain could not capitalize, because they were over-matched by Mountain Pointe closer Ryan Aslamy.

Unfortunately for Red Mountain, its hard-fought season came to an end after an 11-8 record and an East Valley Region regular season championship.

“We fought the whole way and I was really proud of the kids,” Pagel said. “I thought they did a good job of fighting.”

As for Mountain Pointe, it earned the 14th seed in the 6A state tournament. 

“In the playoffs momentum is a big deal,” Denny said. “What’s important is what’s in front of us right now.”