QO KO'd 4-3 as Northwest advances to 4A West Regional Final

This playoff game had all the makings of a stellar game - great pitching, awesome defense, timely hitting, and a BIG TIME RIVALRY. Alongside a huge fan turnout with many NW students, teachers and administrators in attendance, the Jags pulled out another gut wrenching performance winning 4-3.  Ace, Tony Cianci, took to the hill making his first start in the playoffs and looking for his fifth win. The first two innings of play saw solid performance offensively and defensively by both teams. The Jags finally spotted Cianci a 3-0 lead in the third inning when Mike Shannon walked, Max Banks was hit by a pitch (first of two for the day) and JJ Jan SAC bunted both players into scoring position. A red hot Scott Ardoin hit a SAC fly to left field scoring Michael Coats, who was pinch running for Shannon. The momentum continued when Nick Siegel reached first base and moved to second on an error that also scored Banks. Steve D'Amato hit an RBI single to end the inning with the Jags up 3-0. The Cougers kept clawing back scoring one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings to tie the score 3-3. Banks came in relief of Cianci in the fifth inning and promptly finished out the inning striking out the batter he faced. The Jags put up the would-be winning run in the sixth inning with two outs. Banks hit a single and was moved to second when Jan was hit by a pitch. Both advanced bases on a wild pitch. Ardoin came to bat and singled in Banks take the lead 4-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Cougers wouldn't go away, all afternoon they hit the ball hard and in the bottom of the sixth inning was no exception. A QO batter hit a shot to deep right center gap but was only topped by a spectacular hard running over the shoulder catch by Siegel, keeping the bases empty. It turned out to be a critical play as the next QO batter hit a double but was left on base. Going into the seventh, QO closed anymore threat from the Jags and had one more chance to make something happen going into the bottom of the seventh. Banks facing the top of the line-up, never flinched. Banks got the first batter to fly out in left field foul territory with a great Steve D'Amato catch. The second batter hit a scorcher to Ardoin at shortstop. The final out came down to two former Hawk players, facing elimination, mano-y-mano, pitcher against a power hitter. Banks in closer fashion threw his final pitch, a curve ball for a strike out looking, to end the game and advance the Jaguars to the Regional Finals for the first time in Jag baseball history!