Junior Jackson Stensgard went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in for the Rams in a round-one game against North on Friday. File photo

In a nail-biter, the 10th-ranked Maricopa Rams won their first-round game of the Division III baseball state championship Friday. They play Sahuarita today at 2 p.m.

The Rams overcame a rough fourth inning to defeat North High School, 5-4.

North scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning to break open what had been a scoreless game. Maricopa managed one run in the fourth and another in the fifth.

North scored again in the top of the sixth for a 4-2 lead. The Rams struck out eight times against North’s Francisco Valenzuela, who was only one out away from an upset victory.

But Maricopa scrambled in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs to win the game and move on to the second round.

Senior Tyler Rapp pitched the distance for Maricopa, striking out six, walking three and giving up three earned runs.

Junior Jackson Stensgard went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in for the Rams. Senior Kevin Borboa was also 2-for-4, drove in a run and had a stolen base. Sophomore Carter Paine had one hit, a double that drove in a run. Senior Ivan Herrera had two hits, including a double. Senior Christian Garcia had an RBI.

The Rams’ second-round game is at the Surprise Baseball Complex, 15390 N. Bullard Ave.

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