Nathan Hafner is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPrep365.com.

A wild eight-run third inning led to a 10-2 victory for the Notre Dame Prep Saints over the Raymond S. Kellis High School Cougars on Friday, March 3, 2023.

From top to bottom, the Saints offense was patient and executed in critical situations. From the first inning on the Saints, bats kept the line moving and took advantage of the mistakes by the Cougar’s pitchers.

The third inning was the key for the Saints. Leading off the inning, pitcher Erick Dessens started the action that resulted in the Saints compiling two singles, two doubles, four walks, and one hit batsman. Ty Borowski and Brody Martin each had clutch doubles. By the end of the third, the Saints had added eight runs to extend their lead to 9-1.

Borowski had this to say about that key double in the third.

“Well, as you could tell from the first at bat, I was anxious to get a hit, you know. The pitcher was not throwing that hard, or whatsoever. So, I was looking forward…I was kind of looking to hit a bomb, you can say. But in my at bat where I hit the double I actually got comfortable at the plate, took a few pitches to see it and it turned out great for me.”

Dessens was the starting pitcher for the Saints and went three innings, striking out six, walking two and allowing just one run.  

“Yeah, first, I just wanted to battle and get ahead of everyone, you know, throw strikes, and let them hit the ball.” said Dessens. “And the game started off kind of slow… and I didn't throw many strikes. But as I went through the game, I got comfortable, relaxed, and just let them hit the ball.”

Dessens wrapped up pitching after the third, and the Saints bullpen came in to keep the Cougars at bay. Relief pitchers Will Jenkins and Leiton Peterson both combined for four innings, striking out eight and allowing only one additional run.

Head coach Brian Fischer and the Saints were happy to rebound from two tough losses recently against Mountain Ridge High School and Sunrise Mountain High School.

When asked about how he felt about how his team played today, Fischer had this to say.

“Better, you know, we dropped one the other day when we gave up seven runs in the seventh inning, and I told our guys, what we gotta do, you know, the simple things, the basic things, and get back to playing good baseball. And that's what we did today.”

With Friday's win, the Saints are now 3-3 on the season. The Saints now turn their attention to Canyon View High School next Tuesday, March 7, at 6 p.m.