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University Prep Bulldogs Clinch Arizona State Baseball Title in Thrilling Showdown

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 23:10 GMT by Arizona Daily Star

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High‑School Baseball in Tucson: University Prep Clinches the State Title

In a story that captured the energy of Tucson’s high‑school sports scene, the Tucson Sentinel’s “High‑School and Prep” section detailed University Prep’s dramatic march to the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) state championship last week. The article, which appears in the Sentinel’s Saturday sports roundup, follows a game that was not just a win for the Bulldogs, but a testament to the grit and determination that has defined the school’s baseball program over the past season.

A Season of High‑Scoring Play

The piece begins by painting a picture of University Prep’s 22‑3 regular‑season record, a figure that was the best in the city and the third‑best in the state. The Bulldogs’ offense was built around a trio of power hitters—Jared “J-Dawg” Ramirez, sophomore first baseman Ethan Ortiz, and junior outfielder Tyler “T-Bone” Jensen—who collectively racked up more than 120 home runs over the course of the season. Coach Matt Reynolds, who has led the program for the past six years, noted that the key to their success was “consistency in getting on base and staying patient on the mound.” Reynolds also mentioned that the team’s defensive unit was the “tightest” in the conference, with a combined fielding percentage of .983.

The article quotes a few key figures from the season. Ortiz said, “We knew that if we could keep our composure, especially in the later innings, we could keep the pressure off our hitters. That was the game plan.” Ramirez, who batted .389 with 15 homers, added, “I was focused on the game plan and not the scoreboard.” These comments foreshadowed the team’s calm execution during the championship game.

The Road to the Finals

University Prep’s path to the state final was not a simple one. They first had to survive a grueling quarter‑final against the city’s other powerhouse, Tucson High, a game that lasted a record‑breaking 14 innings and ended in a 6‑5 win. The Bulldogs’ pitcher, junior right‑hander Caleb “Cal” Hayes, who had an earned run average (ERA) of 1.15 that season, surrendered just two runs while allowing 13 hits. Hayes’ performance earned him a mention in the article’s “Player of the Week” segment, as he had previously thrown a 10‑inning no‑hitter in a regular‑season game.

The semifinals saw the Bulldogs face off against Chandler High, a team known for their aggressive base‑running. Chandler had a 9‑2 win against University Prep in the regular season, but in the semi‑final, the Bulldogs’ bullpen held the Wildcats to a single run in the 7th inning, forcing a 3‑1 victory. The article highlighted how the Bulldogs’ pitching staff—composed of starters Hayes, freshman left‑hander “Slick” Smith, and relievers—had a combined ERA of 1.84 over the playoffs.

The Championship Game

The centerpiece of the article is a detailed account of the championship game held at the Tucson Baseball Stadium on Sunday night. University Prep faced off against Santa Fe High, the team that had dominated the Mountain League this season. Santa Fe’s starting pitcher, freshman left‑hander Miguel “Mig” Lopez, had an ERA of 0.58, and the game was a pitchers’ duel from the get-go.

The article describes how the Bulldogs took the lead in the 4th inning, with Ramirez delivering a solo homer and Ortiz adding a double to cap the rally. The scoreboard read 2‑0 for the Bulldogs after a three‑run inning. Santa Fe, however, responded in the 5th with a two‑run double and a sacrifice fly, making the game 3‑1. The tension rose as both teams played tight defense, with the Bulldogs’ shortstop, 15‑year‑old Daniel “D-Train” Perez, making a diving catch in the 6th inning that turned out to be pivotal.

The turning point came in the 7th inning when University Prep’s pitcher Caleb Hayes, who had been on the mound for just 2 innings, entered the game as a reliever. In a dramatic display of control, Hayes walked no one and struck out two of Santa Fe’s top hitters, including their star batter, sophomore third baseman Omar “OJ” Cruz. With a 3‑1 lead, the Bulldogs’ offense continued to manufacture runs. Ethan Ortiz, after a two‑run single, drove in his second run of the game with a clutch hit that lifted the score to 5‑1. The Bulldogs closed the game with a 3‑run eighth inning, sealing the victory with a 6‑1 score.

The Sentinel’s article includes a graphic of the final box score, detailing hits, runs, and batting averages for each player. The key takeaway from the graphic was that University Prep's batting average in the championship game was .500, a significant improvement over their season average of .278.

Recognition and Aftermath

Following the game, the article reports that Coach Reynolds was named AIA’s “Coach of the Year” by the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association, citing his ability to keep the team focused through a season of ups and downs. The Bulldogs’ senior pitcher, Caleb Hayes, was named the tournament’s “Most Outstanding Player” for his dominant performance in both the semifinals and the final. He also earned a spot on the All‑state team.

The article also links to the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s official postseason page (https://www.aiaonline.org/athletics/sports/baseball/) for readers who want a deeper dive into the statistics and game footage. A secondary link directs readers to the University Prep athletics page (https://www.universityprepathletics.com/baseball) where the full roster and game logs can be found. For fans interested in the next season’s schedule, the article provides a link to the Tucson high‑school baseball schedule (https://www.tucsonhighsports.com/schedule/baseball).

Contextualizing the Victory

In closing, the Sentinel’s piece frames University Prep’s win as a symbolic moment for Tucson’s high‑school sports community. The article notes that the victory could spark a new rivalry with Santa Fe High, especially after the heated exchanges that followed the game. It also points out that University Prep’s success may attract more high‑level recruits to the school’s program, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of Arizona high‑school baseball.

By tying together the season’s narrative arc, providing player insights, and linking to official resources, the article delivers a comprehensive summary of a game that was more than just a win—it was a defining moment for a program and a city.