Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Cameryn Woodall (3) eyes the intended destination for her pitch against Chandler Prep. The Morenci sophomore struck out nine, walked one, and allowed a .269 (7-26) batting average and two earned runs while facing 27 batters during six innings. At the plate, she batted .800 (4-5) with six RBIs, three doubles, and a home run. Woodall has a .488 (40-82) batting average with 22 RBIs, 10 doubles, five triples, and five home runs while playing in all 26 games. Morenci faces No. 6 Mohave Accelerated for a state tourney quarterfinal in Phoenix on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
Morenci run-rules visiting No. 14 Chandler Prep
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The No. 6 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated Patriots meet the No. 3 Morenci Wildcats on Thursday, May 2. It is a state quarterfinal pairing at Phoenix Papago Softball Complex, 1802 N. 64th St. at 7 p.m.
To date, both teams are averaging a 12-4 score per game or an 8-run margin, Morenci in 26 games and Mohave Accelerated in 25 games.
2A State Tourney Quarterfinals
The 2A state quarterfinals (May 2) and semifinals (May 3) will be held at Papago Softball Complex. The championship is on May 6 at ASU’s Farrington Stadium, 510 S. Athletes Place in Tempe.
All eight higher-seeded teams advanced as there were no upsets during the first round. Quarterfinal pairings in the upper bracket are No. 8 Eloy Santa Cruz (17-6 overall) with No. 1 Eagar Round Valley (21-7) and No. 5 Saint Johns (22-8) with No. 4 Phoenix Horizon Honors (21-3).
The lower bracket has No. 6 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (17-6-2) versus No. 3 Morenci (20-6) and No. 7 Phoenix Christian (17-4-1) vs. No. 2 Laveen Heritage (23-3).
Eliminated in the first round on April 27 were No. 16 Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (7-11 seeding), 25-5 (5 inn) by No. 1 Eagar Round Valley; No. 9 Kingman Academy (11-7), 5-3 by No. 8 Eloy Santa Cruz; No. 12 Miami (11-7), 11-3 by No. 5 Saint Johns; and No. 13 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (6-8), 20-0 by No. 4 Phoenix Horizon Honors in the upper bracket.
The lower bracket had exits from No. 14 Chandler Prep (8-9), 13-3 (5 inn) to No. 3 Morenci; No. 11 Tombstone (17-10), 5-4 to No. 6 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated; No. 10 Willcox (12-13), 13-8 to No. 7 Phoenix Christian; and No. 15 Benson (5-18), 13-2 (5 inn) to No. 2 Laveen Heritage.
2A State Play-in Round
The Top 8 teams awaited the No. 9-24 results on April 24, to enter the first round against the winners on April 27.
It was No. 9 Kingman Academy 24-1 over No. 24 Gilbert Leading Edge (5-11, minus 15.3172), No. 10 Willcox 17-4 over No. 22 Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (3-9, minus 9.1457), No. 11 Tombstone 22-1 over Surprise Highland Prep (3-9, minus 9.1457), No. 12 Miami 15-1 (5 inn) over No. 21 Sedona Red Rock (5-8, minus 7.0840), No. 13 Arizona Lutheran 10-0 (5 inn) over Pinon (7-9, minus 65.9171), No. 14 Chandler Prep 15-5 over No. 19 Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (8-10, , No. 16 Benson 18-4 over No. 17 Glendale Prep (9-8, minus 3.3496), and No. 18 Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic 19-8 over No. 15 Flagstaff Northland Prep (5-9, minus 3.0971).
Madison Highland Prep and Leading Edge finished No. 26 and No. 30, respectively, but both entered the play-in round as the second-place team from the two-team Metro and three-team Valley Regions, respectively.
No. 6 Mohave Accelerated Patriots (17-6-2 overall)
The Shanda Weiler-coached No. 6 Mohave Accelerated Patriots (17-6-2 overall, 13-3 seeding, 8-2 West Region) are averaging a 12-4 (290-92) score per game or an 8-run margin through 25 games.
Mohave Accelerated has seeding wins over Ash Fork/Seligman (17-0 in 4 inn, Feb. 23), Glendale Trivium Prep (14-1 in 5 inn, Feb. 29), Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (16-0 in 4 inn, March 5), Parker (19-0 in 4 inn, March 12), Saint John Paul II (25-1 in 4 inn, March 13), Kingman Academy (7-5, March 20), Glendale Trivium Prep (26-0 in 4 inn, March 29), Ash Fork/Seligman (21-0 in 5 inn, March 30), Williams (5-1, April 9), Kingman Academy (20-9 in 6 inn, April 10), Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (12-2 in 5 inn, April 13), Arizona Lutheran (17-0 in 4 inn, April 13), and Parker (14-1 in 5 inn, April 22). The losses were to Laveen Heritage (1-9, March 23), Heritage (4-15, March 23), and Kingman Lee Williams (11-12, April 19).
In addition, the Patriots went 3-3-2 during two tourneys, at Tolleson and Chandler Prep. The wins were over Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (13-0 in 5 inn, March 15), Phoenix Saint Mary’s Catholic (15-5 in 5 inn, March 21), and Page (14-1 in 5 inn, March 22) while the losses were to Valley Christian (2-9 in 5 inn, March 21) and Heritage (6-7, March 22). Two ties were recorded, with Bagdad (8-8, March 14) and Yuma Catholic (2-2, March 16).
Mohave Accelerated has a team batting average of .451 (303-672) with 264 of 296 runs batted in, 73 doubles, 11 triples, and 32 home runs. Additionally, the Patriots struck out 82 times, were walked 115 times, and beaned 31 times through 25 games.
In the circle, three Patriots have a collective 3.01 earned run average, allowed 58 of 183 earned runs, 105 hits, six home runs, 50 walks, and beaned 27. Opponents had a .406 (105-522) batting average and struck out 183 times while going up to the plate 599 times during 134 2/3 innings.
Mohave Accelerated has a 12-member roster, including seniors Bronte Gee (42/13) and Khaylene Rodriguez (5); juniors Destiny Garcia (1) and Alyssa Laing (9); sophomores Tanner Banks (22), Megan Jones (28), Sara King (7), Kennedy Lamb (25/32), Savannah Medrano (34), and Lucy Wickham (26); and freshman Ashlynn Davis (10) and Delilah Ramirez (8).
No. 4 Morenci Wildcats (20-6 overall)
The Joseph Garcia-coached Morenci Wildcats (20-6 overall, 15-2 seeding, 9-1 region) are averaging a 12-4 (314-114) score per game or an 8-run margin through 26 games.
Morenci has seeding wins over Miami (12-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 26), Willcox (11-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 29), Miami (16-0 in 4 inn, March 4), Santa Rita (22-0 in 4 inn, March 6), Bisbee (16-4 in 5 inn, March 8), San Carlos (28-0 in 4 inn, March 14), Willcox (14-9, March 18), Benson (13-3 in 5 inn, March 25), Bisbee (13-3 in 5 inn, April 5), Saint David (10-5, April 8), Tombstone (13-5, April 16), Horizon Honors (8-7, April 17), Benson (17-2 in 4 inn, April 19), Pima (11-1 in five inn, April 22), and Pima (23-3 in 4 inn, April 22). The losses were to Eagar Round Valley (9-12, April 11) and Tombstone (12-22 in 5 inn, April 16).
Additionally, the Wildcats went a combined 5-3 during a pair of tourneys attended, 3-1 in the 3-day Queen Creek-held tourney and 2-2 in the 2-day Chandler Prep tourney. The wins were over Phoenix Northwest Christian (6-4 in 6 inn, Feb. 22), Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (19-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 23), Tuba City (15-0 in 3 inn, Feb. 24), Safford (2-0, March 21), and Saint Johns (11-9, March 22). The losses were to Phoenix Horizon Honors (0-9, Feb. 24), Mesa Dobson (0-6, March 21), and Joseph City (0-7, March 22).
Morenci has a .438 (289-660) batting average compared to .222 (116-522) for combined opponents. The Wildcats have driven in 256 of 298 runs, and notched 69 doubles, 17 triples, and 31 home runs while posting 145 strikeouts, 133 walks, and beaned 24 times.
A 4-person pitching corps has allowed an earned run average of 3.47 with 66 of 110 runs earned, yielded 27 doubles and 13 home runs, and struck out 175, walked 57 and beaned 27 while facing 606 batters during 133 innings.
The Wildcats have a roster numbering 14, with seniors Alizabeth Aguilar (16), Kay’Leigh Blair (2), and Daviana Gallegos (5); juniors Yalitza Rios-Ortega (15), and Cameryn Woodall (3); sophomores Jaliyah Hernandez (14) and Shaylee Wichman (13); and freshmen Karol Escalona (10), Tiara Jones (11), Kieralyn Madrigal (6), Malina Martinez (7), Mayeli Salazar (12), Kailee Sandoval (8), and Janessa Webb (9).
2A State Rankings
The 2A Top 24 final rankings for the 39 teams had 5-5 (1.000) from the South, 4-4 (1.000) from the Central Region, 5-6 (.833) from the West Region, 4-6 (.667) from the East Region, 4-7 (.571) from the North Region, 1-2 (.500) from the Metro Region, and 1-3 (.333) from the Valley Region.
Eagar Round Valley (14-3 seeding, 14.0492 rating) was No. 1, \Laveen Heritage (12-2, 11.5391) No. 2, Morenci (15-2, 11.3553) No. 3, Phoenix Horizon Honors (14-2, 10.0216) No. 4, Saint Johns (15-3, 9.3000) No. 5, Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (13-3, 8.4561) No. 6, Phoenix Christian (13-4, 8.2944) No. 7, and Eloy Santa Cruz (13-5, 7.5010) No. 8.
Kingman Academy (11-7, 4.6898) was No. 9, Willcox (12-7, 4.1346) No. 10, Tombstone (11-6, 3.65737) No. 11, Miami (11-7, minus 0.3654) No. 12, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (6-8, minus 1.1580) No. 13, Chandler Prep (8-9, minus 1.9382) No. 14, Flagstaff Northland Prep (5-9, minus 3.0971) No. 15, and Benson (4-13, minus 3.302) No. 16.
Glendale Prep (9-8, minus 3.3496) was No. 17, Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (7-11, minus 4.6944) No. 18, Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (8-10, minus 4.9111) No. 19, Pinon (7-9, minus 65.9171) No. 20, Sedona Red Rock (5-8, minus 7.0840) No. 21, Surprise Highland Prep (3-9, minus 9.1457) No. 22, Many Farms (7-11, minus 9.7940) No. 23, and Maricopa Sequoia Pathway (4-11, minus 11.2437) No. 24.
The initial 2A Top 24 rankings, released at noon on March 26, had 5-5 (1.000) from the South, 2-2 (1.00) from the Metro Region, 5-6 (.833) from the West Regions, 3-4 (.750) from the Central Region, 4-6 (.667) from the East Region, 4-7 (.571) from the North Region, and 1-3 (.333) from the Valley Region,
Morenci (8-0 seeding, 11.1512) was No. 1, Horizon Honors (5-0, 9.7497) No. 2, Heritage (7-1, 9.7431) No. 3, Round Valley (6-2, 6.7414) No. 4, Santa Cruz (4-2, 5.2235) No. 5, Mohave Accelerated (6-2, 4.7297) No. 6, Phoenix Christian (2-4, 3.8126) No. 7, and Saint Johns (3-3, 2.4165) No. 8.
Willcox (4-4, 1.3730) was No. 9, Benson (3-3, 0.5547) No. 10, Tombstone (3-3, minus 0.3348) No. 11, Red Rock (3-2, minus 0.9677) No. 12, Saint John Paul II (6-5, minus 1.1640) No. 13, Miami (4-6, minus 1.4334) No. 14, Kingman Academy (5-2, 4.0814) No. 15, and Highland Prep (3-3, minus 2.9940) No. 16.
Chandler Prep (3-5, minus 2.9985) was No. 17, Saint Augustine (3-5, minus 3.6897) No. 18, Madison Highland Prep (2-4, minus 4.7493) No. 19, Glendale Prep (3-5, minus 5.1677) No. 20, Many Farms (1-4, minus 5.4636) No. 21, Pinon (1-2, minus 5.5884) was No. 22, Arizona Lutheran (0-3, minus 6.0189) No. 23, and Sequoia Pathway (2-3, minus 6.6287) No. 24.
2A East Region Final Standings
The 2A East Region final standings were Morenci (20-6 overall, 15-2 seeding, 9-1 region) first, Willcox (12-12, 11-7, 7-3) second, Tombstone (17-9, 11-6, 7-3) third, Bisbee (6-10, 6-8, 4-6) fourth, Benson (5-17, 4-13, 3-7) fifth, and Pima (2-19, 2-15, 0-10) sixth.
Morenci (9-1) had region wins over Willcox (11-0, Feb. 29), Santa Rita (22-0, March 6), Bisbee (16-4, March 8), Benson (13-3 in 5 inn, March 25), Bisbee (13-3, April 5), Tombstone (13-5, April 16), Benson (17-2 in 4 inn, April 19), Pima (11-1 in five inn, April 22), and Pima (23-3 in 4 inn, April 22). The Joseph Garcia-coached Wildcats averaged a 12-4 (314-114) score per game or an 8-run margin through 26 games.
Willcox (7-3) had region wins over Tombstone (14-11, March 21), Benson (13-5, March 23), Pima (17-1 in 5 inn, March 27), Bisbee (14-3 in 6 inn, March 28), Benson (19-16, April 8), Pima (24-9 in 4 inn, April 16), and Bisbee (12-9, April 17). The Trevor Ward-coached No. 10 Willcox Cowgirls (5-2) averaged an 11-9 (255-219) score per game or a 2-run margin through 24 games.
Tombstone (7-3) had region wins over Pima (17-0, March 5), Benson (28-13 in 5 inn, March 28), Pima (13-3 in 5 inn, April 2), Willcox (16-8, April 5), Morenci (12-22 in 5 inn, April 16), Benson (13-11, April 18), and Bisbee (19-11, April 22). The James True-coached No. 11 Yellow Jackets averaged a 12-7 (300-180) score per game or a 5-run margin through 26 games.
Bisbee (4-6) had region wins over Pima (11-5 in 8 inn, March 13), Tombstone (8-3, March 26), Benson (15-13, April 2), and Pima (20-15, April 8). The Melissa Wright-coached Pumas averaged an 8-10 (127-161) score per game or a 2-run deficit through 16 games.
Benson (3-7) had region wins over Bisbee (11-0, March 5), Pima (12-2, March 8), and Pima (21-6 in 6 inn, April 5). The Eric Tatham-coached No. 14 Bobcats averaged an 8-12 (167-264) score per game or a 4-run deficit through 22 games.
The Danny Olson-coached No. 27 Pima Roughriders (0-10) averaged a 6-15 (130-314) score per game or a 9-run deficit through 21 games.
