Pearl River Central Falls 3-1 in Game Two to force rubber match Thursday Morning
The Class 6A State Championship series is headed to a winner-take-all Game 3 after Pearl River Central Blue Devils fell to Saltillo Tigers 3-1 in Game 2 on Wednesday. After the Blue Devils captured a dramatic walk-off victory in Game 1, Pearl River Central entered Day 2 with a chance to secure its first baseball state championship in nine years. However, Saltillo responded with a strong defensive effort to even the series. Right-handed pitcher Ayden Radosta got the start for the Blue Devils and delivered a scoreless first inning to begin the afternoon.
Saltillo broke through with a run in the second inning, but Radosta continued to make plays on both sides of the ball. In the third inning, with the bases loaded and the Tigers threatening to extend their lead, Radosta made a key defensive stop at third base, hauling in a high foul fly ball for the final out of the inning.
Pearl River Central’s offense came alive in the top of the fourth. Senior first baseman Blake Gill sparked the rally with a line-drive single into right field. Catcher Eric Mavor followed with a high chopper that Saltillo’s shortstop could not handle, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Moments later, Cipriano laid down a push bunt along the first-base line that appeared to bring Gill home to score. However, confusion followed the play as officials ruled the runner out at first. Shortly after Gill’s hit, a rain delay temporarily halted play.
The Blue Devils continued to battle throughout the sixth and seventh innings, putting multiple runners on base and threatening to rally. Still, Saltillo’s defense held firm to secure the 3-1 victory and force a decisive third game in the championship series. Despite the loss, Pearl River Central remains confident heading into the finale after battling through adversity all season long — a mindset the team has embraced with the phrase, “The grass is blue.” The Blue Devils and Tigers will meet one final time Thursday morning at 10 a.m. with the Class 6A State Championship on the line.
