Rye (Colo.) High School defeated Hotchkiss in an exciting 9-8 semifinal on Saturday to advance to the Colorado 2A state championship game. Much of the Thunderbolts’ success is owed to an incredibly clever hidden ball trick.
Hotchkiss had a runner in scoring position in the seventh inning and was threatening to tie the game or worse when Rye’s pitcher faked a pick-off attempt to second base. His teammates acted like the ball went into center field, and the pitcher was able to chase down the runner — who tried to advance — and tag him for the final out of the game.