(GILBERT, Ariz.) There's a different energy when a team starts to find its rhythm. For Gilbert Christian baseball, the beat dropped hard last week in the form of dominant pitching, aggressive baserunning, and back-to-back home victories over Benjamin Franklin and San Tan Foothills.

The stretch began on March 25 in a spirited Knight Out atmosphere, as Gilbert Christian welcomed Benjamin Franklin for a regional showdown, and delivered a commanding 3-0 victory.

Junior Brady Winebrenner turned in a special performance on the mound, throwing a complete-game shutout while flirting with history deep into the contest. Winebrenner carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before it was broken up, ultimately allowing just three hits while mowing down eight Chargers. Pitching with confidence and intensity throughout, the junior newcomer controlled the game from the first pitch to the final out.

The Knights' offense provided early support, plating two runs in the opening inning and adding another in the third to create breathing room. Gilbert Christian showed patience and discipline at the plate, drawing 10 walks in the contest. Junior Logan King and senior Zack Linker each recorded RBI singles, while senior Hayden Jensen picked up the final RBI on a sacrifice fly. King also added two stolen bases in the win.

Gilbert Christian carried momentum into its March 27 contest against San Tan Foothills, protecting the home field with an 8-2 runaway against the Sabercats.

Junior Asher McIntire got the start and set the tone, going four innings while striking out five and allowing just one hit and one run to collect the victory for GCHS. Junior Austin Brown came in for one inning of relief before Linker closed things out with two strong innings of his own, striking out three of the seven batters he faced.

Offensively, King delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a home run to finish 1-for-1 with two RBI while also drawing a walk. The Knights tallied four hits in the contest, with senior Nate Nielsen, Linker, and junior Gabe Caballero each recording one.

Gilbert Christian continued to pressure the defense all game long, swiping 10 bases in a relentless display on the basepaths. Sophomore Brody Allen, Nielsen, and Linker led the way with two steals apiece, while McIntire, freshman Brody Cochran, Caballero, and King each added one.

Run production was spread throughout the lineup, with Nielsen, Caballero, Jensen, and Cochran each driving in a run.

"We are playing well through the first half of the season," Head Coach Andy McIntire said. "Our pitching and defense have carried us so far. I'm really proud of the way our guys have faced some early adversity and responded to it. What will define the rest of the season is how well we continue to punch back when it gets tough. This team is committed to the process and I'm excited to see that come alive the rest of the way."

With the pair of wins, the Knights improve to 5-5 overall and 4-1 in 3A Conference play.

Gilbert Christian returns to action Monday, March 30 at home against Payson, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m.