In a game that defied all expectations, Hagerty High School punched their ticket back to the Class 7A state baseball final four in dramatic fashion—a 10-inning marathon that ended with a jaw-dropping 14-4 victory over West Orange. What started as a tense pitchers' duel turned into an offensive explosion that will be remembered for years to come.

Relief pitchers Nick Stentiford of Hagerty and Lukas Stirewalt of West Orange were the stars of the early innings, trading strikeouts like heavyweight champions. Stentiford, who entered in the third inning, fanned seven Warriors over seven gritty innings. Meanwhile, Stirewalt was absolutely electric after taking over in the fifth, striking out 10 Huskies—including an incredible eight in a row at one point. It looked like a game that would be decided by a single run.

But baseball has a way of writing its own script. As the game stretched into the 10th inning, Stirewalt began to show signs of fatigue, and Hagerty's bats came alive with a vengeance. The Huskies batted around against three different West Orange pitchers, plating an incredible 10 runs in a single frame to turn a tight contest into a blowout.

The win sends Hagerty (22-8) to the state semifinals for the second straight year, giving them a shot at redemption after falling to Jupiter in last season's final four. For West Orange, the season ends at 20-13, but not without a fight that showcased some of the best pitching the region has to offer.

"That is what they like to do to me," joked Hagerty coach Mike Sindone, whose team swept the best-of-three series. "They love to say, 'We're just gonna play some extra innings.' They kind of expected to have a little fun with me today, toy with my emotions. But they did a good job."

Stentiford, a junior, was the steady hand Hagerty needed after starter Noah Adkins exited early. "It was a great team win. We stayed together 'til the end," Stentiford said. "We hit when we needed it most and the big guys came up in big spots." His level-headed approach paid off, as he allowed just one hit after the third inning while keeping his emotions in check. "The more level-headed I am, the better my command is," he added.

For fans of high school baseball, this game was a reminder of why we love the sport—unpredictable, dramatic, and full of moments that define a season. As Hagerty prepares for their shot at a state title, they'll carry the momentum of this unforgettable 10th inning with them.