Alain Gomez-Gudino powers Saguaro to 4A baseball title

Scottsdale Saguaro took advantage of ALA Gilbert North miscues in a five-run second inning on its way to an 11-4 win in the 4A state baseball championship game on Monday, May 18, at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Senior catcher Alain Gomez-Gudino finished his high school career with a home run, the MVP award and a second state title. "This was a really great experience for me," Gomez-Gudino said.

"I couldn't ask for anything better for my life. " Gomez-Gudino's journey to Arizona was chronicled by The Arizona Republic two years ago, when he was a sophomore. He traveled, with his family, from Venezuela, some of it by foot, surviving on one meal a day, to find a better life.

He was embraced by the Saguaro community and wound up with two titles in his career under two different coaches The first came his sophomore year when Cam Caminiti was a dominant pitcher for the Sabercats and Joe Muecke led the program. "All my family, all my friends, supported me every day," Gomez-Gudino said. "It means everything to me.

" Former major league catcher Gerald Laird, in his first season leading the Saguaro baseball program this season, sees a great future at catcher for Gomez-Gudino, who could go in the MLB draft this summer. "I've talked to some scouts," Laird said. "He's ahead of the game.