Queen Creek, Casteel continue to climb back out of 6A losers' bracket

No. 1-seed Queen Creek and No. 2 Casteel both won must-win games on May 9 to keep their title hopes alive in the 6A baseball tournament.

Queen Creek eliminated Phoenix Brophy Prep 6-3, erasing a 3-0 deficit with Tyke Daniels delivering a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning. Shortstop Dre Ethier knocked in Brophy's first two runs with singles in his first two times at bat. Diego Armenta hit a solo homer for the Bulldogs.

Sophomore Kasen Barricklow got the win for Queen Creek, pitching three innings of relief, giving up two hits and walking none. "Brophy is really a well-coached team," Queen Creek coach Mikel Moreno said. "We knew we would have to be fundamentally sound and execute at a high level to give ourselves the opportunity to advance.

" Queen Creek (27-4) will get another shot against Mesa Red Mountain (22-8) at 4 p. m. on May 12 at Queen Creek, with the winner advancing to the state semifinals.