While Retif struggled in the first two innings,the squad bonded together and ultimately prevailed against College Funding Coach (Brother Martin) in walk-off fashion by a score of 6-5.

College Funding Coach did not waste anytime in the box as they put up three runs in the first and did not seemed poised to stop there. Retif looked to be in for a long afternoon.

Yet, they stuck around with the combined pitching efforts of Connor Sarrat, J.P. Hernandez, Austin Hardouin, Chris Favalora, Michael King, and Cameron DesRoches. The constant change of arm angle, speed, and control kept the College Funding Coach hitters on their toes in the later innings.

Retif was down 4-1 going into the third and decided that the bats needed to come alive. Will Hellmers and Parker Serio traded triples to get the score within one. Then, the clutch hitting Favalora tied the game with a single.

DesRoches produced a two out single to give Retif the lead, and the race to the finish line ensued.

College Funding Coach came back in the fourth and tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Until the seventh, both teams remained quiet on the base paths.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Tripp Haddad, who hit line drives all day, lined a double to the wall. Haddad proceeded to steal third. The winning run was now on third base with one out.

Luke Brandau stepped in, a recent call-up from the JV squad, to play hero. He would not disappoint as he lined a hard single to the right side to score Haddad from third. Retif stormed the field and have now won five in a row going into the state tournament.

Their quest for a state title begins on Friday, June 10, at John Ryan Stadium with games starting at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.