Pictured: Matt Escobedo slides into second during a 10-0 Miami win that catapulted the team into the state tournament.

The game between the San Manuel Miners and the Miami Vandals featured some competent baseball, but the trend was slightly in favor of Miami until the fourth inning when the dam began to crumble as Miner pitching began to falter. The Vandals were completely swept away in the bottom of the sixth inning with Miami ending the game with a score of 10-0, sending them to state.

In the first inning the Miners got a man on base but struck out twice and flied out to right fielder Matt Escobedo. At bat the Vandals also got a man on first with a single by Zabe Saenz but were unable to get him home.

In the second inning the miners singled twice but left man on base, while the Vandals were not more successful. Catcher, Ryan Johnson grounded out to second, and both Langdon Koyayesva and Adin Gilmore flied out.

In the third inning the faceoff continued with the Miners going three up and three down. In the bottom of the third however, Miami started to crack the Miner façade. The pitcher for the miners, Caezar Guerrero walked two batters who promptly advanced from first and second to second and third on a wild pitch. Saenz struck out but in the chaos a run came in for Miami. Score Miami 1, San Manuel 0.

In the top of the fourth, the miners flied to Gabe Gomez, and got a man on base with a walk. But they were shut down without a score. In the bottom of the fourth, an error by the Miner third base man allowed Michael Castaneda to reach first, and a wild pitch enabled him to stroll onto second base. He was soon joined by Johnson, who walked. Koyayseva was out at first, but runners advanced to second and third. Freshman Ryan Powell hit a solid base hit to right field bringing in Castaneda and Johnson. The next two batters grounded and flied out to retire the side. Score 3-0 Miami

The fifth inning brought no relief to the Miners due to the right and center fielders and the pitcher who struck one batter out. The Vandals picked up one run on an RBI by Gilmore to take a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth, the Miners were robbed by Koyayesva, grounded out to third and struck out.

The bottom of the sixth broke the pattern and ended the game. After Powell and Escobedo flied out, it was up to Gomez who hit a solid base hit to center field. Goss beat out a single to the third baseman to put two on base. It was getting serious for San Manuel, already four behind and not looking for high scoring innings in this game.

Never fear, baseball-zilla is here. One out is all the Miners would need to end the inning and try for a comeback in the seventh. But Saenz hit a very uncooperative standup double up the left field line bringing in Gomez and Goss. Then Gilmore’s stand up triple brought Saenz in for another run. San Manuel’s pitcher was replaced after walking Anthony Dzera. Johnson walked, loading the bases with Johnson on first, Dzera on second and Gilmore on third — but not for long. Koyayesva was up next and his solid base hit to center field brought in Johnson. And the bases were still loaded. Ryan Powell came to the plate and hit a second blistering line drive into left field to bring in Dzera and Raymond Galvon (pinch running for Johnson). And that was the game. Miami won 10-0 over San Manuel. Miami made fewer errors and added some spectacular plays and hit off the two Miner pitchers very well. And they are bound for the state tournament.