By Justin Janssen '11
Desert Vista southpaw Garret Brandt had his way against Brophy's offense April 26 at Opus Field.
Brandt mixed his pitches keeping the No. 7 Broncos (18-8) off-balance all night.
Brophy coach Mr. Tom Succow said after the Harvard-Westlake game March 29 that Brophy struggles against lefties.
Brandt gave up two runs in a complete game effort- his third complete game of the season - and kept Desert Vista's playoff hopes alive.
The Thunder (13-15) entered play against Brophy ranked 18th in power points; the top 16 teams qualify.
Last season, Desert Vista defeated Brophy twice in the season's final two games to earn the final seed in the playoffs.
Early on, the game appeared to be headed for a pitcher's duel, but Dave Graybill '12 only pitched the first three innings.
In the third inning, Joe Maggi '11 tomahawked a fastball into center field scoring Connor Moore '12.
In the fourth inning Graybill was replaced by Nick Jewett '12 on the mound.
After Desert Vista tied the game on an RBI single by Colby Woodmanse, Jewett was in a bases-loaded two-out jam.
Hunter Rodriquez, who is also Desert Vista's starting quarterback, cleared the bases with a three-run double off the center field wall.
The crushing blow chased Jewett from the game after recording just two outs.
After receiving this run support, Brandt got in a groove and put up three straight scorless innings.
The Thunder would tack on two more runs to go ahead 6-1.
Brophy's rally in the seventh inning was too little, too late.
Maggi singled, stole second, and scored off of a base hit by Graybill, but the next batter struck out to end the game.
Brophy and Desert Vista meet again in Awhatukee April 27 to finish the regular season.
The double-elimination postseason starts Saturday April 30 at the higher seeded team's home field.
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