The Spanish Springs 9-year-old Cal Ripken All-Stars looked poised to capture a win in the Western Regional opener Tuesday afternoon in Panguitch, Utah, but their opponents from outside Phoenix, Ariz. had other plans.

Spanish Springs was up 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning but watched its the Arizona foe rally for four unanswered runs without delivering a hit in a 7-4 come-from-behind victory.

Arizona managed just three hits in the win, all off starting pitcher Isaac Ruiz, who went 4 1-3 innings on the mound for Spanish Springs.

Spanish Springs coach Todd Galati said his team’s defense was phenomenal but the bullpen came in and walked too many hitters.

Galati said second baseman Cole Drescher was the team’s MVP for the game after going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and triple. Drescher also made a leaping snow cone grab that saved a couple runs on defense. But it wasn’t enough, despite out-hitting Arizona 9-3 in the contest.

Spanish Springs is still alive and guaranteed two more games in pool play. Next up will be a Hawaiian foe at 5:30 p.m. today.

“They’re a decent little team and dropped a game today against a team from Bingham, Utah,” Galati said. “I think we can beat them. We just have to come out and hit better.”

The top two teams from each of the four pools will advance to the eight-team elimination bracket.