Call it deja vu.
For the second time in three years, the Valor Christian Eagles and Pueblo West Cyclones battled it out for the Class 4A baseball state championship. And just like in 2016, Valor came out victorious, winning 5-1 on Wednesday at All-City Field. It’s the school’s third straight title.
Eagles freshman pitcher Radek Birkholz dominated Pueblo West (19-6) on the mound, throwing a one-hit complete game with nine strikeouts. Birkholz carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, only to have it snapped by Cyclones catcher Zach Thomas, who hit a double to drive in his team’s only run.
The Eagles (23-3) had a big third inning, scoring five runs off Pueblo West starter Kaleb Woltz who wasn’t able to get out of the inning. Valor recorded seven hits, including a solo home run from senior Brady Buehler.
This 4A state title marks a end of an era for Valor as the Eagles will be moving into 5A classification in all sports next year.
It was Pueblo West’s third appearance in the title game, and third defeat, having also lost in 2013 and 2016.
BACK. TO BACK. TO BACK. pic.twitter.com/b8MCNgJAPy
— Valor Christian Athletics (@ValorAthletics) May 30, 2018
