LAKEWOOD — Time was running out for Cornerstone Christian Academy.
The Bulldogs were one strike away from going home defeated in the Class 1A baseball state championship game at All-Star Park on Thursday. As a pitchers duel against Nucla wore late, the Mustangs finally broke through and appeared to be on their way to another title.
Down 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Cornerstone Christian rallied and stunned their opponent with a 4-3, walk-off victory that sent their fans and dugout into a frenzy.
"That was the most insane feeling of my life," said CCA senior Alex Roedel, who batted in the tying run and then crossed home plate for the game-winner.
"The full rush. As soon as I made contact, I was like 'That's the game. We're coming back'."
Families poured onto the field to watch their team lift the 1A trophy to the sky. It is CCA's first team state championship in school history.
The Bulldogs went 23-1 over their championship campaign.
In the title game, they were led offensively by nine hits at the plate — two each from Jonah Cox, Trenton Rowan and Cody Koehn.
Cade Walker got the start on the mound, giving up only two hits and throwing four strikeouts through five scoreless innings. Rowan was credited with the win.
"It will eventually (set in), but for now I'm just happy about winning," Roedel said. "Senior year, to be the guy who gets the hit out there? Nothing better."
Nucla, which was playing in its third-straight 1A title game, ends its season with a 16-6 record.
Watch the extended video above and see the highlights on the 9NEWS Prep Rally this weekend.