Kofa baseball season ends

The Kofa baseball team had a big lead and sophomore sensation Sergio Sanchez on the mound in its Class 5A Division II playoff game Tuesday against Desert Ridge.

 But Sanchez ran into control problems, and the lead evaporated in a six-run sixth inning as the Kings season ended with a 15-13 road loss.

 Kofa had leads at 6-1 and 12-6 behind starter Julio de los Reyes. But Sanchez - who did homer at the plate for the Kings - struggled with his control in the sixth.

 "Sergio shut them down in the fifth, but he ran into some trouble in the sixth," coach Richy Leon said. "He had some walks, some hit batters and some timely hitting put us away."

 The Kings had the tying run on second base with two outs in the seventh, but the Desert Ridge second baseman made a diving stop on the ball to end the game.

 The Kings' season, which included a Gila Valley Region title, ended after two straight playoff losses, the first to San Luis.

 "It's probably as disappointed as I've been in my years of coaching here," Leon said. "Having a team like we have with the talent we have and being able to put ourselves in position and come into this game and put ourselves ahead like we did, then just not be able to put it away is very disappointing, very frustrating."