Bainbridge had taken control of its matchup against Pasco Saturday, coming out of a 6-1 hole to create a 12-8 lead entering the bottom of the sixth. Blake Swanson was looking unhittable on the mound, and then just like that, Pasco scored five runs to take the game and the slot in the championship away from Bainbridge, winning 13-12 on a walk-off home run by Austin Clarke.

Bainbridge refused to give in to the combination of three consecutive elimination games and a 6-1 deficit entering the third inning. The team responded by scoring four runs to cut Pasco’s lead to one. Another Pasco run made the score 7-5, but Bainbridge matched that run in the top of the fourth. One more run for Pasco made the score 8-6; then Bainbridge turned it up a notch.

Gareth Grindeland hit a solo home run to start the scoring in the fifth. Sam Maracich later made it home under the tag on a passed ball. Cody Hawken scored Bainbridge’s third run of the inning on a single up the middle by Swanson, giving Bainbridge a 9-8 advantage.

With Swanson on first, Carter Kraus belted a home run to extend the lead to 11-8. The next batter, Garrett Riely, hit another home run to make the score 12-8.

Neither team gave up in the game, as evidenced by the sixth inning. After Bainbridge delivered what looked to be the knockout punch, Pasco was able to load the bases. Dylan Wilbert hit a grand slam and erased the Bainbridge lead. Clarke came on with the bases empty and hit another home run, sealing the game for Pasco.

Pasco will face Mercer Island, the only team Pasco lost to, Sunday for the state title.