Breanna Isbell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com. 

In their last game competing in the Scottsdale Invitational, the Saguaro Sabercats faced the Notre Dame Saints on Monday. 

Following three scoreless innings, the Saints took the lead and handed the Sabercats a 4-1 loss.

In the bottom of the first with two runners in scoring position and two outs, junior pitcher Luke Olinger served up a pitch for a fly ball to senior leftfielder Thomas DeChesaro for the third out of the inning. 

“In that moment when I saw the ball coming at me I knew I had to just do my job,” DeChesaro said. “I knew that I had to do whatever I had to do to help out my team, so when that opportunity came I knew I definitely had to take advantage of it.

“Performing under pressure works out well for me. Knowing that I have to come through for my team and perform at my best is something that I think I am good at.”

In the top of the third inning with two outs and the bases loaded, pressure was on for senior designated hitter Joel Rubin when walking up to bat. 

“I was excited to hit. I was disappointed when they pitched around me and I got walked but I was happy it was able to give us that RBI to take the lead,” said Rubin. 

“No. 1 thing on my mind going up to bat was to send my boys on the bag home.”

Rubin’s walk scored junior Ty Nelson for the Sabercats’ only run of the game. 

In the bottom of the third inning, the Saints fought back with two runs for a 2-1 lead and tacked on two more in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, junior pitcher Frankie Digregorio stepped in for Olinger. 

“When I stepped in I knew it was my job to continue throwing strikes just like Olinger. Giving them something to hit knowing I could trust my defense behind me,” said  Digregorio. “With it being my first pitching appearance of the season, there was a little bit of pressure. I think I play well under pressure. Once I got out there I cooled down, stopped thinking and just played.”

All eyes were on junior left fielder Cael Herrera, senior center fielder Javen Jacobs, and right fielder DeChesaro with killer defensive plays in the outfield throughout the game.