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Game Stories
Sunnyslope Rallies for 4 Runs in the 7th to Defeat Apollo 6 - 5April 6, 2000. Sunnyslope Field. The Vikings celebrated the return of senior Ricky Keyt to their lineup by scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a nerve racking come from behind 6 - 5 win over the visiting Apollo Hawks in a Skyline Conference game. Keyt was injured earlier in the year and his return seemed to provide a spark to the Vikings. Dave Evans pitched a gutsy six hit complete game victory. Evans who had some hard luck early gave up 5 runs in the first 3 innings, but he shut down the Hawks attack the last four innings and gave Sunnyslope the chance to stage its game-winning rally.
The Vikings got their first run when Matt Lee singled to center to score Mike Nixon who had singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Apollo's short stop Mick Cedana made the score 5 - 1 in the third with a two run shot over the left field fence in the third, but he made the mistake of lighting a fire that caused the slumbering Vikings to come to life. As Cedana rounded the bases he blew a kiss to Slope and reminded them of the 5 – 1 score. The bush league move was just the incentive SHS needed to bear down and fight to victory.
Evans helped his own cause in the fourth by hitting a sharp single to right center and coming around to score on Phil Band's single. The Vikings went down meekly in the fifth and sixth, but took heart when Evans prevented further scoring by Apollo in the top of the seventh despite the Hawks putting runners on second and third with nobody out.
Band continued to demonstrate why he is such a valuable part of this team by leading off the bottom of the seventh with a single just beyond the second baseman's reach. Keyt, batting next, smoked a single to left. Apollo then brought in a new pitcher to pitch to Nixon who nailed the first pitch and hit a wicked shot to left that just missed being a 3 run homer. Band and Keyt had to hold to see if the ball would be caught and had to be content with advancing one base each. Apollo’s reliever’s second pitch of the night drilled Lee in the back to force in Band. Clint Rose pinch hit for Crawford and walked to force in Keyt and make the score 5 – 4.
With no outs and the bases loaded, Evans followed with a bloop single to right that drove in Nixon and tie the score at 5. Matt Ricci then lofted a high shallow fly ball to center that the center fielder caught easily for the first out of the inning. Lee, who was on third, tagged up and bluffed a dash for home. The center fielder saw the fake and then engraved Lee's name on an invitation to score the winning run as he took aim and fired the ball thirty feet over the catcher’s head. Lee alertly broke for home and slid in to start a noisy celebration.
The win gives the Vikings a 3 and 2 record in conference play.Vikings Clip Cardinals Wings 8 - 5April 1, 2000. Sunnyslope Field. It wasn't pretty, but Sunnyslope hung on for an 8 - 5 win against the visiting Glendale Cardinals. The game had to be stopped for 15 minutes in the top of the first when second baseman Steve Crawford got a gushing bloody nose after getting hit in the face by a ball that deflected off of his glove. Glendale scored a run in the top of the first inning, but Matt Ricci stranded two Cardinals on a timely strike out.
The Vikings did most of their damage in their initial at bat. Phil Band led off with a double and Crawford, wearing a clean jersey, managed a walk. Mike Nixon drove both runners home with a double and later scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error. Matt Lee and Matt Ricci walked and pulled a double steal. Ernesto Rocha scored both Matts with a double. The seventh batter in the inning, Clint Rose, drove in the sixth run on a single.
Glendale battled back, scoring twice in the top of the second on an error, a double and a single and again in the third on 2 errors, a hit batter and a single. Sunnyslope scored a seventh run in the home half of the third when Rocha, who was hit by a pitch and stole second scored on a single by sophomore third baseman KC Arnold.
Glendale made it 7 - 5 with a hit, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly. Sunnyslope squandered a serious scoring threat in the fourth, wasting Matt Lee's double and two walks and again in the sixth when the Vikings loaded the bases with only one out, but could not score. They did add a run in the fifth when left fielder Matt Peterson hit his third single of the day, stole second and alertly took third on an errant throw and scored on a sacrifice fly when Band, who went 2 for 3, hit a scorching line drive that the center fielder grabbed inches above the ground.
Sunnyslope committed 3 errors and at least as many mental errors. Ricci pitched a complete game, but gave up more hits than usual. Steve Crawford made several fine plays at second base to keep the Cardinals at bay, and Clint Rose did a good job at first in helping preserve the lead when Glendale threatened.
The Vikings are 2 and 1 in conference play as they get ready to play Cactus Shadows on Tuesday.Chiefs' Jones Fires One Hitter at VikingsMarch 28, 2000. Sunnyslope Field. Junior Mike Jones, Thunderbird's ace right-hander, showed the fans and scouts in attendance why he is one of the top pitching prospects in the state. His fastball was clocked on the radar gun as high as 94 mph and he consistently threw 91 - 92 as he and the Chiefs overpowered the Vikings, 6 - 0. Jones was able to mix in an occasional curve in striking out 13 Vikings in a 7 inning complete game victory. Sunnyslope managed only one hit, an infield single by Phil Band off the first baseman's glove. Band reached on Jones's only walk to lead off the game and immediately stole second, only to be left stranded on Matt Lee's ground out to third. After Band singled in the third, he stole his second base of the day, but could not advance any farther. After that Jones seemed to find his zone and struck out the next 7 batters. Only one ball was hit out of the infield all day, a foul pop to left by lefty Clint Rose.
Phil band pitched well for the Vikings and deserved a better fate. A controversial no strike call on a check swing allowed the Chiefs to keep batting and they touched Band for 4 hits and 5 runs in the bottom of the third. That was more than enough for Jones who grew stronger as the game progressed. As one knowledgeable fan noted, if Jones stays healthy, he is going to be a wealthy young man a year from now.Fired Up Sunnyslope Beats Buckeye 6 - 4
March 25, 2000. Buckeye Park. Coach Rich Carlberg led a spirited practice Friday afternoon challenging his team to bear down and focus on the upcoming conference schedule. It must have worked. Sunnyslope’s slumbering bats woke up, pounding out 11 hits, including 6 extra base hits, highlighted by Mike Nixon’s towering 2 run home run in the first as Sunnyslope raced to a 6 - 0 lead. Clutch pitching by Dave Evans and Matt Ricci kept the Buckeye bats at bay and Sunnyslope held on for a tense 6 - 4 win.
Phil Band led off the game with a walk and stole second for his team leading 18 steals. Steve Crawford grounded out, but Nixon’s 400 foot blast to left gave the Vikings a lead they would not relinquish. Matt Lee stroked a sharp single to left and stole second, but was stranded.
Ernesto Rocha led off the second and was hit by the pitch. Clint Rose’s double to center scored Rocha. Rose sped home on Crawford’s single. Lee’s shot to right center cleared the fence on one hop for a ground rule double to start the third. Dave Evans hit a drive to deep center field for a triple to score Lee. Evans came home on Ricci’s double to right to score Evans. That was the end of the Viking’s scoring for the day. Evans pitched until one out in the fifth. Ricci relieved and used his assortment of off-speed pitches and pin point control to keep Buckeye off balance.
The Vikings played excellent defense. Nixon was particularly impressive, blocking numerous pitches in the dirt to prevent Buckeye runners from advancing and initiating a run down to end a bases loaded threat in the fifth. Band patrolled center field making five put outs and Lee and Crawford provided steady infield defense.
Greenway Demons Haunt Vikes 7 - 4March 23, 2000, Sunnyslope Field.The Viking’s rust was showing after an 11 day spring-break lay off, and the result was a 7 - 4 loss to the visiting tope ten ranked Greenway Demons. Sunnyslope had to play catch up before they even came to bat. Phil Band pitched well, but the Demons touched him for 2 runs in the top of the first on a throwing error by first baseman Barrie Pederson and a bloop double to left. Band gained his rhythm and control and shut down Greenway for the next 3 innings, allowing no more runs on 2 hits with 3 strikeouts.
Unfortunately, Sunnyslope’s offense slumbered through the first 5 innings. The only Viking hits were a beautifully executed hit and run by Ernesto Rocha in the second and a line shot to right center by Matt Lee in the fourth. Greenway stretched its lead to 7 - 0 in the top of the fifth. Band walked the first 2 batters and was relieved by senior left hander Matt Ricci. The Demons combined 5 singles, a fielder’s choice and aggressive base running to score 5 more runs.
The Vikings finally came to life in the bottom of the sixth. Steve Crawford and Matt Lee reached base and came around to score on a single by Dave Evans. Matt Ricci’s single to right and a fielder’s choice scored the third and fourth runs of the inning. Sunnyslope mounted a threat in the bottom of the seventh when Matt Peterson and Phil Band reached base with no outs. Crawford bounced into a 6-4-3 double play and Mike Nixon grounded out to end the game.
The Vikings can take heart from the way they battled back against a good team. Coach Carlberg’s club has been hard hit by injuries and illness. SHS was only able to dress 11 players. Sunnyslope hopes to get healthy in time for the conference games that begin Saturday against Buckeye.
Band Wanted for Grand Theft, but SHS Falls to Ranked Santa RitaMarch 13, 2000, Glendale H.S. The Sunnyslope offense took an ill-advised spring break and the Santa Rita Eagles prevailed 5 - 3 in a Monday afternoon 2000 Spring Classic Tournament game. Dave Evans' fine pitching effort was wasted. The Eagles' right hander Jay Leslie shut down the Viking attack, limiting the Vikings to just 4 hits. Lead-off hitter Phil Band had three hits, including a beautiful drag bunt down the third base line. Band scored all three Viking runs. He scored twice on sacrifice flies by Mike Nixon and once on a passed ball.
Band should have been arrested by the Glendale Police because of his grand larceny of five Eagle bases. After 11 games, Phil has 17 steals. Band's 3 hits in 4 at bats raised his team-leading batting average to .600. The only other Vikings to get hits were Matt Lee and Barrie Pedersen. Lee banged a double to center. Nixon picked up two RBIs to raise his team RBI lead to 11.
Evans pitched a gutsy complete game, more so because he had pitched almost three innings just 2 days before. Dave had excellent command of his pitches. A few misplays in the field coupled with with some walks, a hit batter and a couple of clutch hits spelled victory for the ranked Eagles.
Matt Ricci One Pitch from Perfect in Beating SkylineMarch 10, 2000, Sunnyslope Field. Senior left hander Matt Rucci pitched a masterful one hit shutout to slam the door on Sunrise 11 - 0. Rucci exhibited incredible control and utilized an assortment of breaking pitches and fast balls to keep the Coyote hitters off balance all night. He needed only 65 pitches, 49 of which were strikes, to record his record the win and his second complete game victory. Matt struck out 9 and didn’t walk a batter. The only runner to reach first came in the top of the fifth with one out and a no balls and two strike count. Ricci's change up was belted into center for the only hit. After the game, Rucci said that he did not feel sharp in the bull pen, but as soon as he took the mound in the top of the first, he felt good and he "knew he was going to pitch a good game." Even he would have been hard pressed to believe he would finish the game one pitch away from a perfect game.
Just as they did in the first game of the double header, the Vikings put the game away early. Phil Band led off the first inning with a single and stole second. Steve Crawford laced a single to left to score Band. After Mike Nixon was hit by a pitch, Matt Lee singled sharply to left to score Crawford. Nixon scored on a fielder’s choice by Rucci.
 The Vikings iced the game in the second. Barry Pederson reached on an error and Matt Peterson walked. Band laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line and beat the throw to load the bases. Crawford hit a sacrifice fly to left and Nixon singled to score Peterson. Nixon stole second and Lee, as has happened before, was walked intentionally. Dave Evans hit into a fielders choice, but he and Lee later scored to make it 8 - 0 after 2 innings.
The first four hitters in the Sunnyslope lineup led the attack. Band, Crawford, Nixon and Lee stroked 2 hits each. They supplied a total of 8 runs, accounted for 5 RBI’s and 4 stolen bases. An errorless defense helped Rucci preserve his perfect game into the fifth, when the game was called because of the 10 run mercy rule.
Ernesto Rocha’s Clutch Pitching Leads Sunnyslope to Victory Over GlendaleMarch 10, 2000, Sunnyslope Field. Sunnyslope kicked off the 2000 Spring Classic Tournament with a 13 - 1 mercy-rule thumping of the Glendale Cardinals. The Viking victory was highlighted by the clutch pitching of sophomore right-hander Ernesto Rocha. The score was tied at 1 in the top of the second when Rocha came on in relief with the bases loaded and one out. The Cardinals’ attempted a suicide-squeeze bunt, but it backfired when the batter missed the pitch and catcher Mike Nixon alertly tagged the base runner out at home. The next batter grounded out to first baseman Dave Evans to end the threat.
The Vikings put the game away in the bottom of the second. A combination of 7 walks, 5 singles and multiple wild pitches and passed balls resulted in the Vikings scoring 10 runs. Sunnyslope added 2 more runs in the third. The game was called because of the ten run rule after 4 ½ innings.
The Vikings hit parade was led by Phil Band, Mike Nixon and Barry Pederson who each smacked two hits. Band, who missed the previous game due to a pulled hamstring, had 2 stolen bases and rattled Glendale pitchers with his speed. Rocha helped his score cause with an RBI while giving up only two hits and striking out two Cardinals.
Goldwater Downs Slope 3 -1 Despite Another Strong 7 Innings from Phil BandMarch 1, 2000, Sunnyslope Field. Right hander Phil Band pitched another great complete game, but could not get any breaks. He only gave up one earned run and struck out seven, but the offense squandered opportunities to score. Phil lowered his earned run average to 1.5 after 14 innings of work in two games.
Goldwater went three up and three down in the top of the first. Two errors in the top of the second and two bad breaks allowed Goldwater to pick up two runs that should not have scored despite getting only one hit.
Sunnyslope got on the board in the bottom of the second when Band stole a base and was brought home on a single by senior second baseman Steve Crawford.
The defense helped Phil get out of a jam in the top of the 5th when Goldwater had runners at the corners with one out. Shortstop Matt Lee moved to his left to scoop a ground ball near second and tag the bag and then fire to first to complete an inning ending double play.
The Vikings threatened in the bottom of the 5th when they had the bases loaded with one out, but couldn't score.
SHS falls to 3 wins and 2 losses.
SHS Edges Saguaro 5 - 3 and Matt Ricci Gets the WinFebruary 29, 2000. Saguaro H.S.Senior left hander Matt Ricci pitched a gritty complete game victory over rival Scottsdale Saguaro High on the Sabercats home field. Ricci used his pin point control to not only hold the Sabercats to 4 hits, he also delivered a key single in the top of the fifth to knock in the Vikings’ fourth run. The win was highlighted by several fine defensive plays, most notably a fine running catch by left fielder Matt Peterson, who not only took an extra base hit away from the Sabercats, but then threw to second to double off the runner, who had been running with the pitch.
Sunnyslope took a 2 run lead in the top of the first. Phil Band and Steve Crawford led off with singles. Mike Nixon plated Band with a sacrifice fly. The Sabercats centerfielder made a sensational diving catch at the base of the fence to rob Matt Lee of an extra base hit. Dave Evans scored Crawford with a single up the middle.
Peterson led off the second with a double and moved to third on an error. Nixon’s infield grounder to short scored Peterson from third.
The Vikings scored again in the fifth when Nixon’s double was followed by a an intentional walk to Lee, who had doubled in his previous at bat. Nixon was pushed off second, but Lee sprinted home on Ricci’s clutch hit to right. Nixon scored the Vikings insurance run in the top of the seventh when he hit a single and eventually came home on a passed ball.
All 3 Saguaro runs were driven in by catcher Brian Niedzwiechi on a 2 run homer and a sacrifice fly. The Vikings improved their record to 3 - 1.
Ricky Keyt Limits Nogales to 3 Hits in Slope's 5 - 1 VictoryFebruary 26, 2000. Sunnyslope Field. The strong pitching of senior Ricky Keyt and timely hitting of senior Matt Lee led the Vikings to a 5 - 1 victory over the Nogales Apaches and a sweep of their Saturday doubleheader. Keyt held the Apaches to just three hits in six strong innings of pitching. Senior left-hander Matt Ricci made his first appearance on the mound to close the game in the 7th inning to preserve the win for Keyt. Ricci picked up his first save.
Lee came to the plate in the bottom of the first with the bases juiced. He drilled a one hop double to deep left center to knock in the first three of his four RBIs of the game. That was all the runs the Vikings needed. Sunnyslope added a fourth run in the second when Lee drew a bases loaded walk and another RBI.
Keyt's only difficult inning was the second. The lead off batter singled up the middle and the second batter reached on an error. Two walks lead to Nogales' only run. Keyt got out of the jam when he delivered a ground ball sinker that was hit into the hole at short. Matt Lee scooped up the hard hit ball and delivered it to Steve Crawford for the start of an inning ending 6 - 4 -3 double play.
Phil Band was 3 for 4 and Steve Crawford went 2 for 4.
Dave Evans Shines in 14 - 3 Victory over CentralFebruary 26, 2000. Sunnyslope Field. Today was Dave Evans day at Sunnyslope field. The Viking's big senior right hander did it all. He used his arm and bat to lead Sunnyslope to a 14 - 3 mercy rule win over the Central Bobcats. Evans pitched all five innings. He walked three and struck out 2 while giving up two earned runs to get the win. Evans ripped three doubles, one of which hit the top of the fence in left. It missed going over by six inches.
The Vikings put on a hitting show lead by sophomore phenom Mike Nixon and senior Phil Band, who each had three hits. Senior first baseman Clint Rose stroked two hits while racking up four big RBIs. Shortstop Matt Lee also had two hits and two RBIs.
Sunnyslope played a good game in the field with only two errors. Catcher Nixon just gets better and better at blocking balls to prevent runners from advancing. The Vikings looked especially strong up the middle with the duo of Lee and Steve Crawford at second. The middle infield turned a 6 - 4 -3 double play to end the game. Ricky Keyt patrolled centerfield and made several good catches. SHS is strong on fielding fundamentals and use speed to their advantage.
The Vikings put the game away in the first two innings when they scored ten runs. In the first innings, Phil Band hit a shot to the gap in right for a double. Keyt walked and after a double steal, Band and Keyt scored on Nixon's single to right. Nixon then stole second and Lee hammered a shot to left to score Nixon. The bottom of the second inning saw more of the same for SHS. Matt Ricci singled. Band laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Ricci to second. Keyt then ripped a line drive to right to score Ricci. Keyt scored on an error. Lee, Evans and sophomore Ernesto Rocha got RBIs in the second.
The Vikings scored four more runs in the fourth. Senior Clint Rose banged a single down the right field line to score two of his four RBIs of the game. The game ended after five innings because of the mercy rule.
Phil Band Pitches 3 Hit Complete Game, but the Vikings Fall to Sunrise Mountain 2 - 0 in Season OpenerSunnyslope Field, February 24, 2000.The Vikings battled the Matadors in a classic pitching duel that was decided by a single pitch in the first inning. Senior right hander Phil Band ran into a little trouble in the first inning of the Vikings season opener against 4A cross town rival Sunrise Mountain. Band walked the first batter. With an 0 - 2 count on the second batter, his brush back third pitch went a little astray and beaned the left handed batter to put runners on first and second with no outs.
With one out and runners on second and third, Sunrise Mountain senior Josh Cameron, the clean up hitter, cranked a sharp double down the right field line to score the only two runs of the game. Phil then allowed only two hits over the remaining six innings while pitching a complete game. He struck out five and walked two.
Band's stellar pitching performance was matched by Sunrise Mountain's junior right hander Matt Leaf who also went the distance. Leaf walked three, struck out 11 and gave up four hits. Matt pitched for the U.S. sixteen and under team last summer.
Sophomores Mike Nixon and Ernesto Rocha each had singles and a stolen base. Senior short stop Matt Lee and senior centerfielder Ricky Keyt were both robbed of base hits as a result of Sunrise Mountain's "Maris" shift. In the bottom of the fourth with Nixon on first, Lee hit a screaming liner in the right field gap, but the centerfielder who was playing in the gap made a great diving catch. In the bottom of the seventh, Keyt hit a deep fly in the left field gap, which was caught by the leftfielder who had shifted into the gap.
Band almost manufactured a run in the sixth when he lead off with a beautiful bunt and followed it up by stealing second and third.
Vikings Ready for 2000 SeasonCoach Rich Carlberg and the Sunnyslope High School varsity baseball team are ready and anxious for the season opener on February 24, 2000, at 4 p.m. against Sunrise Mountain at SHS. The Vikings are seeking their third straight postseason appearance and another chance to play for the state title.
SHS opens the 2000 season with six games in the Skyline Preseason Tournament to be held at Sunnyslope February 24, 2000, through March 2, 2000. The Vikings will play 28 games before the Skyline Regional playoffs the week of May 2nd.
The Skyline Region added a seventh team for the 2000 season. Former 3A school Cactus Shadows moves up to 4A this year to compete with Sunnyslope, Buckeye, Glendale, Apollo, Lake Havasu and 1998 state champion Thunderbird for the Skyline Region championship.
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Sunnyslope High School Vikings Varsity Baseball
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