Parker Rahn's Walkoff 3-run Homer Lifts #5 Hamilton Past #2 Casteel 15-13

The Hamilton Huskies defeated the Casteel Colts 17-15 in a wild extra innings region rivalry.

From the first inning, it was a fireworks show at Hamilton High School.

At the top of the first inning, the Colts got on the board quickly.

Senior outfielder Ryan Harwood blasted a three-run bomb to right field to get the first runs on the board. 

Scoring on the home run was junior shortstop Baylor Denny and senior third baseman Ryne Barker. 

While a three-run inning is impressive, the Huskies responded with double the runs Casteel had in the bottom of the first. 

Opening up the game for the Huskies was Hamilton junior outfielder Cory Wuttke, as he hit a solo home run immediately in the bottom of the first inning. 

It wouldn’t take long for Hamilton to tie the game up. 

Evening up the contest was sophomore infielder Sammy Garcia, as he hit a two-RBI double. 

Garcia was able to bring senior outfielder Ben Ball and senior third baseman Parker Rahn to home plate. 

The scoring wouldn’t end there for Hamilton as junior catcher Kai Hampton and Ball would both hit RBI singles before the inning concluded. 

The Huskies led 6-3 after the first inning.

Just like the first inning, though, the Colts would string together another solid outing at the top of the second. 

The first pitch of the second inning would see junior infielder Lincoln Demmons hit a solo home run. 

Momentum would favor the Colts' way as they were able to tie the game up. 

After getting back to the top of the lineup, Denny and Barker were both able to hit RBI singles and have Casteel have another three-run inning. 

The tie didn’t last for long, however, as Hamilton got another ball to go yard. 

Hitting a solo home run was Ball, who hit the ball over the right field fence to give the Huskies back the lead. 

There were no other runs scored after the home run in the bottom of the second, but Hamilton held a 7-6 lead after two innings. 

For both sides, the third inning was a bit stagnant.

The highlight of the inning came at the top of the third when the Colts once again tied the game up.

Senior outfielder Connor Russell hit an RBI single to bring senior infielder Jose Bingochea home. 

In the fourth inning, the Colts would retake the lead for the first time since the top of the first inning.

Already having one homer in the game, Harwood would hit another bomb to right field for a solo home run. 

The Colts had all the momentum as they started to click on both sides of the ball. 

At the top of the fifth inning, Casteel added to their lead. 

Russell hit a ball to deep left field, then used his top-end speed to get a two RBI triple, bringing Casteel senior infielder Mason Blech and Bingochea home. 

With five innings down, Casteel held a 10-7 lead. 

The sixth inning saw Hamilton chip into the lead before the start of the seventh inning. 

Hitting his second home run of the game, Wuttke hit another solo home run to put Hamilton within two runs. 

Casteel looked to close out the game; however, they had an impressive seventh inning to put the game out of reach. 

Starting the inning, Russell smashed the ball over the right field fence for a two-run home run. 

Then Casteel junior infielder Merrick Phelps hit an RBI single to bring Denny to home plate.

Casteel had a 13-8 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh.

With their backs against the wall, though, Hamilton didn’t give up. 

Hamilton head coach Mike Woods told his team they have what it takes to get back into the game.

“We told them we scored six in the first,” Woods said. “Why can’t we do this?” 

The Huskies would dig deep and mount the comeback.

Bringing the game within one Ball hit his second home run of the game, this time a three-run home run.

Next up to bat was Rahn, who came through when his team needed it the most. 

Squaring up the ball perfectly, Rahn smashed the ball over the fences and got the game tied at 13 a piece. 

While most teams may have folded under pressure, the Huskies knew they could win the game. 

“I’ve seen these guys score 10 runs in an inning,” Rahn said. “I know we had it in us and we did it.” 

With the game headed to extra innings, both teams put it all on the line. 

The Colts would end up with a two-run cushion as Casteel junior outfielder Taylor Dodd hit a two-run homer.

Casteel proceeded to bunt the rest of the inning as they looked to rely on their defense to finish out the game. 

Hamilton wanted them to regret that decision. 

“They bunted at the end, they think two is gonna hold us,” Woods said. “Let’s make them pay for that.” 

Make them pay is exactly what they did.

With the game on the line and having two outs, Rahn, who hit the home run to tie the game up, was up at bat to try to put the game away. 

Rahn would see the ball perfectly and launch it way over the center field fences for a three-run homer and give Hamilton the victory. 

Not overthinking it or letting the pressure get to him, Rahn had faith in himself to get the job done. 

“Just trust my work,” Rahn said. “I work as hard as anybody, and I just trust my work.” 

The Huskies would avenge their loss from yesterday against Casteel and now look to jump in the rankings. 

With the win Hamitlon has taken down some of the top teams in Arizona, and they believe they can take down anyone when the playoffs arrive. 

“It creates a belief,” Woods said. “We beat some of the top teams out there. It gives us some legitimacy in our own minds that we can play with anybody.” 

Next up: 15-9 Hamilton looks to build off the win against Casteel when they take on 13-8 Highland in their regular-season finale. 19-6 Casteel looks to close out the regular season strong when they face 22-3 Queen Creek.

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