The 2025 Arizona High School 6A baseball season delivered a mix of dominance, surprise turnarounds, and thrilling playoff action. From February’s first pitch to May’s championship celebration, the season was defined by rising programs, elite pitching performances, and a dramatic finish at Tempe Diablo Stadium.Week 1: Season Kickoff (Feb. 24 - Mar. 2)Opening week saw 6A teams emerge from the offseason with high expectations and plenty of roster questions. While most games were non region, they set the tone for which programs were ready to contend. Corona del Sol shocked early observers with two comfortable wins over 5A schools, flashing a deep lineup and reliable arms. Hamilton opened their season with a pair of shutouts, showcasing the depth and control of their senior-heavy pitching staff. Casteel, known for aggressive base running and small ball, executed two walk off wins to begin their season 2-0. Sandra Day O’Connor also made noise by winning a tight 1-0 pitchers’ duel over Pinnacle, signaling their return as a defensive powerhouse.Week 2: Emerging Contenders (Mar. 3 - Mar. 9)As teams settled into rhythm, the contenders began to separate. Red Mountain’s explosive offense erupted for 9+ runs in back-to-back games against Gilbert and Skyline. Mountain View used timely hitting to steal a game from Highland and followed it up with a shutout victory. Corona del Sol knocked off preseason top 10 Liberty, as Brett Crossland tossed six innings of one run ball with 10 strikeouts. Rankings started to stabilize with Red Mountain and Corona entering the top 10, while Perry and Chaparral slid down after tough losses. This week also saw improved outings from Sandra Day O’Connor, who beat Valley Vista with an efficient three run sixth inning to stay unbeaten.Week 3: Conference Play Begins (Mar. 10 - Mar. 16)The intensity ramped up as region play kicked off. In the Central region, Corona del Sol delivered a major statement with a 4-2 win over Brophy Prep. The Aztecs showed they could manufacture runs against elite pitching, and Crossland once again starred on the mound. In the Premier region, Hamilton edged Basha 7-6 in a wild game with multiple lead changes and clutch late-inning hits. Casteel picked up two key wins, including a shutout of Chandler, to climb within a game of the Premier lead. Red Mountain dominated East Valley play, blanking Mesa and Dobson by a combined score of 17-2, establishing themselves as the most complete team in their region.Week 4: Power Rankings Shuffle (Mar. 17 - Mar. 23)Casteel’s dramatic walk-off win over Perry capped off a 3-0 week that sent them rocketing into the top 6. Their bullpen, considered a preseason question mark, began to stabilize. Corona del Sol continued to dominate with a mercy rule victory over Desert Ridge, further validating their rise. Hamilton dropped a narrow game to Chandler, but stayed in the mix with a rebound win over Highland. Sandra Day O’Connor added to their resume with back to back shutouts of Pinnacle and Valley Vista. Mountain View stayed relevant by splitting a tough doubleheader with Mesa and Red Mountain.Week 5: Midseason Statement (Mar. 24 - Mar. 30)This week gave the clearest picture yet of who was in control. Red Mountain edged Mountain View 5-4 in front of a packed house, maintaining their unblemished region record. Hamilton reasserted itself with dominant wins over Perry and Chandler, scoring 10+ runs in each. Casteel put together a complete week with victories over Liberty and Desert Vista, while their ace struck out 12 in a complete game. Corona del Sol’s offense overwhelmed Skyline and Desert Ridge, scoring a combined 17 runs. The Aztecs began to be seen as the state’s most dangerous team heading toward April.Week 6: Race for Playoffs (Mar. 31 - Apr. 6)With playoff seeding now front of mind, this week delivered big time showdowns. Red Mountain all but clinched the East Valley region with a blowout win over Mesa. Crossland pitched his third shutout of the year as Corona del Sol took down Brophy Prep for the second time, continuing their unbeaten streak. Mountain View stayed in the hunt with a walk-off win against Westwood. Brophy Prep’s season hung in the balance after a late-inning collapse vs. Cesar Chavez, but they bounced back with a win over Desert Vista. Sandra Day O’Connor’s fifth straight win, a 6-2 victory over Boulder Creek, kept them in the top tier.Week 7: Final Push (Apr. 7 - Apr. 13)Every game mattered as teams fought for the final playoff seeds. Casteel beat Hamilton 6-3 behind a 4 RBI night from their junior shortstop, vaulting them to second in the Premier region. Hamilton rebounded to beat Desert Vista but dropped in the rankings. Corona del Sol officially clinched the Central region with an 8-2 win over Cesar Chavez and maintained their No. 1 spot in the state. Red Mountain finished region play a perfect 9-0, including a 12-1 blowout of Dobson. Sandra Day O’Connor completed a sweep of Boulder Creek, solidifying their place in the top five.Week 8: Regular Season Wrap-Up (Apr. 14 - Apr. 20)The final week brought clarity to playoff matchups. Corona del Sol closed their regular season at 16-2 with a convincing win over Perry. Red Mountain also finished 16-2, locking up the top seed in the opposite bracket. Casteel and Hamilton entered the postseason ranked in the top 8, with Casteel’s head to head win giving them the edge. Mountain View (Mesa), Brophy Prep, and Sandra Day O’Connor also secured playoff berths. The final pre-playoff top 6A rankings read: 1. Corona del Sol, 2. Red Mountain, 3. Casteel, 4. Hamilton, 5. Sandra Day O’Connor, and 6. Brophy Prep.Playoffs Begin (May 3 - May 6)The first round was filled with tight battles and dominant performances. In Round 1, Corona del Sol survived a scare from Sunnyside, winning 2-1 behind a clutch seventh-inning RBI. Red Mountain took care of Tolleson Union, 8-3, and Hamilton edged Liberty 6-5 with a game-saving double play. Casteel defeated Higley 2-1 in a pitching duel.In the quarterfinals, Corona del Sol shut out Sandra Day O’Connor 10-0 in a mercy-rule victory led by Crossland’s complete-game effort. Red Mountain held off Brophy Prep 6-5 in a game that came down to a bases-loaded strikeout. Casteel dominated Mountain View 12-2, ending the Toros’ season. Hamilton won a tight game 5-4 over Desert Vista, fueled by clutch defense in the seventh.Final Four & State Championship (May 16 - May 20)The semifinals delivered on the hype. Corona del Sol and Red Mountain clashed in a 3-1 battle that showcased elite pitching. Crossland outdueled Red Mountain’s Kaden Chase, with the Aztecs plating two late insurance runs. In the other semifinal, Casteel and Hamilton went back and forth before Casteel’s bullpen shut the door in a 9-7 win.The championship game at Tempe Diablo Stadium saw Corona del Sol complete their dream season with a 10-0 win over Casteel in five innings. Crossland pitched a complete-game shutout, and the Aztecs exploded for a six-run fourth inning that broke the game open. It was their first state title in over a decade, capping off one of the most impressive turnarounds in Arizona high school baseball history.Standout Moments of the SeasonCorona del Sol’s six-run fourth inning in the state title game, featuring four straight hits with two outs, was the offensive exclamation point of the year. Brett Crossland’s complete-game shutouts in both the quarterfinal and championship rounds cemented him as the top ace in 6A. Casteel’s walk-off against Perry in Week 4 powered by a squeeze bunt and throwing error showed their gritty identity. Hamilton’s comeback win over Basha in Week 3 was one of the most exciting games of the season, featuring a three run seventh inning capped by a two out double. Red Mountain’s undefeated regional run, including their electric rivalry win over Mountain View, showed their consistency and depth. Sandra Day O’Connor’s five game win streak down the stretch, powered by stellar pitching and a disciplined lineup, helped define their postseason push.Final ThoughtsThe 2025 season will be remembered for the Aztecs’ redemption arc. From a 10-18 finish in 2024 to state champs in 2025, Corona del Sol rewrote the script. Red Mountain proved consistent and tough, while Hamilton and Casteel showed their firepower all season long. With so much young talent returning, 2026 is already shaping up to be just as special.
