Under the bright lights of Tuesday night’s District Semi-Final, Sunlake High School’s junior first baseman Noah Sagnip delivered when it mattered most, helping propel the Seahawks to a thrilling 7-5 victory over cross-town rival Land O’ Lakes High School. The win not only secured Sunlake a spot in the District Championship but also served as long-awaited redemption after last year’s early playoff exit at the hands of the same team. Sagnip was locked in at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, and three RBIs. His biggest moment came in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runners on and the score locked at 4-3. With a smooth swing, Sagnip launched a double into the left-center gap, scoring both runners and sending the Sunlake bench into a frenzy. “I was just looking for a pitch I could drive,” Sagnip said, smiling after the game. “Coach always tells us to stay patient and stay ready. I got one over the plate and made it count.” The clutch hit flipped the momentum of the game and ignited an electric atmosphere among Sunlake’s traveling fans, who made their presence known on enemy turf. But Sagnip wasn’t done. He continued to lead by example on the field, making several key plays at first base to stabilize the infield. His most impressive defensive moment came in the seventh inning, when he scooped a low throw out of the dirt to record the game’s final out, sealing the win. The game was emotional for the Seahawks. Last year’s season ended at the hands of Land O’ Lakes, a painful memory that Sagnip and his teammates carried with them all season. “This one meant a lot,” Sagnip said. “We remembered what happened last year. We weren’t going to let it happen again. That loss stuck with us, and we used it to fuel our preparation.” The dugout roared with energy after Sagnip’s go-ahead double, and the team never looked back. Sunlake added an insurance run in the sixth inning to create some breathing room, and solid pitching closed the door in the seventh. With the win, Sunlake moves on to face top-seeded Wharton High School in Thursday’s District Championship game. The stakes are high, but Sagnip says the team is ready for the challenge. “We’ve got one more step,” he said. “We’re locked in, and we’re ready. We’ve worked too hard to stop here.” If Sagnip continues his strong play, the Seahawks might just bring home the championship trophy — and a storybook ending to their redemption season.