Upon further review: Mesa-Red Mountain baseball win for Mesa stands

April 19, 2019 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


After further discussion Friday of the ending of Thursday's Mesa High-Red Mountain baseball game, the 15-14 win by Mesa will stand.

Earlier on Friday an initial ruling cited suspended game protocol to revert the outome game back to the fifth inning with Red Mountain up, 9-7. Both teams, however, got to bat in the sixth inning even though a third out for Mesa was not recorded to officially complete the sixth.

AIA umpire advisor Rob McKinley advanced the umpiring crew's decision to end the game correctly. Game umpires announced to both teams that the Jackrabbits' Carson Hoopes would be the final batter. At the time Red Mountain led 14-13. The bases were loaded and two were out so an out, one run scoring or two runs scoring would have ended the game in one of the teams' favor or a tie.

A tie would have meant suspension protocol was appropriate, meaning the game would need to be completed at a later date. Since Mesa had the lead and both teams batted in the sixth it was an official game.

"After more discussion suspension protocol did not come into play," AIA executive director David Hines said. "The game was ended properly. Both teams, athletic directors and umpires were instrumental in coming to the proper conclusion."

Mesa High scored eight times with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning in the game as darkness fell on the field at Mesa High. Mesa scored the go-head runs on a two-run double and the teams walked off. 

Red Mountain led Mesa, 9-7, after five innings. The Mountain Lions scored five runs in the top of the sixth to go up 14-7 and Mesa got its turn as darkness began to settle in. Mesa scored eight times to go ahead with Hoopes - the final batter as directed by the umpire - singled home the tying and winning runs. 

Power rankings for 6A released Friday are correct through games reported Thursday night. They will be updated one more time mid-day or earlier Tuesday April 23 to set the final power rankings leading into play-in games that take place on Wednesday April 24.