A milestone for Arizona high school baseball
The Knights of Chandler Arizona College Prep captured their first 5A state baseball championship on Tuesday, downing Horizon 11‑3 in a game that felt like a coronation for a program that had been building toward this moment for years.
Ashton Sanchez was the offensive engine, delivering three hits that included a two‑run homer, and his contributions earned him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
Coach Andrew Pollak, whose five‑year tenure has been marked by steady progress, said the victory was the culmination of a plan that began when the team first aimed for a state title.
On the mound, Clayton Nachman and Grant McInturf combined to limit Horizon to eight hits and three runs, with Nachman securing his 11th win of the season and praising the team's dedication.
The Knights’ path to the title was paved with earlier achievements: a 20‑win season in their inaugural 4A year, a 2023 run to the 3A quarterfinals, and a 2024 campaign that saw them finish 18‑1, following a 15‑12 record in their first 5A season.
The decisive fourth inning saw the team explode for six runs, a rally capped by Austin Longfellow’s two‑run homer that shifted momentum irrevocably.
Sanchez’s smile after the final out reflected the joy of a player who had waited years for this moment, while Coach Pollak expressed confidence that this team could be the first of many championship contenders.