Raymundo Frasquillo Photo//Gila Herald: Morenci senior Omar Torres returns safely before the ball arrives during the elimination game with Holbrook. The Mogollon Mustangs won the tournament.
Roadrunners earn first tourney finalist berth
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Four-time finalist Heber Mogollon captured the 45th annual Morenci Lions Baseball Tournament title on March 8, topping Holbrook 17-6 in five innings. This was the first Lions tourney with opening-day pool games and the earliest held, at least a month before the previous 44.
“It feels good,” Mogollon junior and Daniel B. Lopez Memorial Most Valuable Player award winner Rocky Porter said.
The Mustangs triumphed in their first of four championship games, went 4-1 overall, posted a .388 (38-98) batting average while driving in 30 of 49 runs scored, an .867 (66-19-13) fielding average, and a 3.18 (10 runs in 22 innings) earned run average.
The Mustangs fell thrice before as finalists, 8-19 in six innings to Willcox (2001), 1-5 to Willcox (2006), and 9-15 to Winkelman Hayden (2024).
Five of the most recent six championship games have been lop-sided, Willcox 11-1 (5 inn) over Morenci in 2018, Lake Washington 15-1 (5 inn) over Morenci in 2019, Safford 13-1 over Hayden in 2023, in 2024, and in 2025. Thatcher slipped past Safford 11-10 in 2022, and both 2023 and 2024 title games each went seven innings.
Championship Game: Mogollon – 17, Holbrook – 6 (5 inn)
Guest Holbrook sent four batters up during its first plate appearance while the designated home team Mustangs batted 14 times to score 11 runs on seven hits during their initial plate appearance.
Holbrook went three up and three down on its second followed by three more Mustangs scoring on two hits with eight batters in their second at bat.
The Roadrunners totaled six runs on eight hits with its next 19 batters while three Mustangs scored on one hit with six batting in the third. Game over as the Roadrunners would score no more, halting the game on the 10-run rule.
For the game, Mogollon turned in averages of .417 (10-24) batting, .909 (15-5-2) fielding, and 6.00 () in earned runs compared to .364 (8-22) batting, .070 (12-2-6) fielding, and 29.75 (17 runs in 4 inn) in earned runsby Holbrook.
45th (2025) All-Tourney Team
The all-tournament team included six from both Mogollon and Holbrook, five from Morenci, and three from Saint Johns.
Meet champion Mogollon landed seniors, infielder/pitcher Cort Porter (23), outfielder/pitcher Hadley Porter (4), and infielder/pitcher Chancy Worsley (14), and juniors, outfielder/pitcher Parker Reidhead (32), outfielder Yoyo Suarez (7), and infielder/pitcher Quinn Tenney (31).
Runner-up Holbrook had seniors, infielder/outfielder Ty Larson (1) and catcher/utility Stefan Trujillo (7), junior outfielder/pitcher Matthias Montijo (13), and sophomores, utility/pitcher Ben Eisele (10), outfielder Lukai Frenette (4), and infielder Justin Maestas (5).
Third place Morenci had seniors, infielder/pitcher Peyton Basteen (25), infielder/pitcher Christopher Carbajal (8), and outfielder Christopher Lopez (3), and juniors, outfielder Jaymz Guzzo (4) and infielder Anthony Roybal (34); and Saint Johns had seniors, infielder McKray Johnson (13) and catcher/infielder Cy Lindsey (4)and sophomore catcher/outfielder Kaden Waite (6).
Additionally, Mogollon junior infielder/pitcher Rocky Porter (22) was named the Daniel B. Lopez Most Valuable Player and Holbrook senior infielder/outfielder Ty Larson (1) selected for the Robert Sotelo Sportsmanship Award.
Six selectees, Mogollon seniors Cort Porter, Hadley Porter, and Chancy Worsley along with junior Rocky Porter; and Morenci seniors Peyton Basteen and Christopher Carbajal were also on the 2024 all-tourney team.
45th (2025) Tourney Recap
Day two results had a few lifetime memories recorded.
Wind, snow flurries, and rain fell throughout one game. The Black Hills were white-capped as were the surrounding mountain tops.
Mogollon junior Rocky Porter swung on a 2-1 pitch for an inside the park grand slam against Saint Johns on a 2-1 pitch. The game was run-ruled in five innings with the 13-2 final score. Sadly, only three spectators were in the stands to witness it.
“I was just trying to make contact and drive in a run,” Porter said.
The once-in-a-lifetime grand slam swing was the second time a Lions tourney game ended short of regulation play, but the first non-championship game for that to occur. Thatcher senior pitcher Derrick Aaron sent a 1-1 pitch over the Francis Waldorf Stadium’s 350-foot right field fence during the 16-3 six inning finale in 2011.
Day one results found Morenci slipping past Holbrook (2-1) and Mogollon (6-5), Holbrook defeating Saint Johns (2-0), and Mogollon downing Saint Johns (7-1), all in five inning pairings.
Mogollon Mustangs (5-1 overall)
The Reed Porter-coached 1A East Region Mustangs (5-1 overall, 1-1 seeding, 0-0 region) has averaged a 12-4 (71-21) score per game or an 8-run margin through six games.
Mogollon averaged a 12-4 (71-21) score per game or an 8-run margin, .388 (38-98) batting, .867 (66-19-13) fielding, and 3.18 (10 runs in 22 innings) in earned runs through five 2025 Morenci Lions tourney games.
The Mustangs run-ruled Holbrook 17-6 (6 inn) on March 8, edged Morenci 6-5 (6 inn) and run-ruled Holbrook 13-2 (5 inn) on March 7, and fell 5-6 (5 inn) to Morenci and defeated Saint Johns 7-1 (5 inn) on March 6 in Francis Waldorf Stadium.
Additionally, a 22-0 (4 inn) seeding win over Phoenix Maryvale Prep on March 4.
A 16-member roster includes seniors Cort Porter (23), Hadley Porter (4), and Chancy Worsley (14); juniors Johnny McKeever (44), Stetson Owens (2), Brody Porter (5), Kaleb Porter (19), Rocky Porter (22), Parker Reidhead (12), Slade Reynolds (30), Eric Starkes (6), Yoyo Suarez (7), and Quinn Tenney (31); and sophomores Alejandro Pimental (12) and Anthony Pimental (42); and freshman Jett Reidhead (32).
The Mustangs were on their 22nd trip to Wildcat Country, with the 2024 tourney being the previous one.
Mogollon next hosts Whiteriver Alchesay on Tuesday, March 18 at 2 p.m.
Holbrook Roadrunners (5-6)
The Ryan Baldonado-coached 3A East Region Roadrunners (5-6 overall, 1-0 seeding, 0-0 region) has averaged a 6-7 (68-75) score per game or a 1-point deficit through 11 games.
Holbrook went 3-3 during the 45th Morenci Lions tourney, falling to Mogollon (6-17, March 8), downing Morenci (6-2, March 8) and Saint Johns (8-4, March 7), falling to Morenci (4-9, March 7), blanking Saint Johns (2-0 in 5 inn, March 6), and falling to Morenci (1-2 in 5 inn, March 6).
The Roadrunners turned in averages of .331 (39-118) batting, .853 (12-2-6) fielding, and 5.12 (19 runs in 26 inn) in earned runs for the five games.
Holbrook was on its sixth trip to Wildcat Country, with the 2009 tourney being the previous one.
In addition, the Roadrunners topped Ganado (22-12 in 5 inn, March 4) and went 1-3 during the 3-day Florence tourney.
The Florence tourney results were a win over Miami (11-8 in 5 inn, Feb. 27) along with losses to Show Low (0-8 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), Hayden (6-10 in 5 inn, Feb. 28), and Morenci (2-3 in 5 inn, March 1).
A 13-member roster includes seniors Niko Espitia (8), Ty Larson (1), and Stefan Trujillo (7); juniors Bryson Autobee (11), Josh LeSeuer (12), and Matthias Montijo (13); sophomores Ben Eisele (10), Lukai Frenette (4), Tilden Larson (3), Justin Maestas (5), and Baler Reidhead (6); and freshmen Levi Autobee (10) and Hayden Eisele (25).
Holbrook hosts Eagar Round Valley on Monday, March 17 at 2 p.m.
Morenci Wildcats (6-5 overall)
The Christopher Aguallo-coached 2A South Region Wildcats (6-5 overall, 1-0 seeding, 0-0 region) are averaging a 4-5 (48-51) score per game or a 1-run deficit through 11 games.
Morenci defeated Holbrook (2-1 in 5 inn, March 6), Mogollon (6-5 in 5 inn, March 6), and Saint Johns (9-4 in 4 inn, March 7), and fell to Mogollon (6-7 in 5 inn, March 7) and Holbrook (2-6 in 6 inn, March 8) during itown 3-day tourney.
Averages of .344 (33-96) batting, .874 (75-29-15) fielding, and 3.92 (14 runs in 25 inn) in earned runs for the five Lions tourney games.
The Wildcats went 2-3 during the 3-day Florence tourney, edging San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (4-3 in 5 inn, Feb. 27) and Holbrook (4-5 in 5 inn, March 1), and falling to Safford (0-9 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), Superior (1-7 in 4 inn, Feb. 28), and San Manuel (1-2 in 5 inn, March 1).
Morenci defeated Pima (5-2, March 11) in the only seeding game played to date.
A 17-member roster includes seniors Peyton Basteen (25), Christopher Carbajal (8), Bryant Figueroa (2), Alejandro Gonzalez (24), Jeremy Knutsen (16), Christopher Lopez (3), Jordan Romero (20), Shane Seballos(7), Omar Torres (10), Marques Varela (23), Jonathan Vasquez (22), and Jacob Verdugo (1); juniors Michael Chavez (33), Jaymz Guzzo (4), Manuel Medina (12), and Anthony Roybal (34); and sophomore Matthew Aguilar (5).
Morenci travels to Saint Johns on Monday, March 17 and hosts Eagar Round Valley on Thursday, March 19.
Saint Johns Redskins (1-5 overall)
The Kenneth Blank-coached 2A North Region Redskins (1-5 overall, 1-1 seeding, 0-0 region) left Greenlee County with a 2-6 (14-33) average score per game or a 4-run deficit through six 2025 games.
Saint Johns averaged a 2-7 (9-26) score per game or a 5-run deficit through four Morenci Lions tourney games, completing its 22nd trip to Wildcat Country with the 2023 tourney being the previous one.
The Redskins succumbed to Holbrook (4-8, March 7), Morenci (4-9, March 7), Holbrook (0-2, March 6), and Mogollon (1-7, March 6). They averaged .040 (13-75) batting, .869 (51-2-8) fielding, and 7.00 (17 runs in 17 inn) in earned runs.
Saint Johns defeated Fort Defiance Window Rock (4-0, Feb. 28) and fell to Pima (1-7, March 4) during a pair of seeding games.
A 12-member roster includes seniors Dane Avila (3), Mark Cox (10), McKray Johnson (13), Brennon Leslie(8), Cy Lindsey (4), and Ethan Skousen (5); juniors Boulder Brundage (9), Oscar Jaramillo (12), and T Platt (1); and sophomore Kaden Waite (6).
The Redskins’ next host Morenci on Monday, March 17 at 2 p.m.
2025 Lions Tourney Brief History
Morenci has been a finalist 21 times (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019) with championships in 1980 (4-2 over Miami), in 1981 (2-1 over Thatcher), 1982 (8-1 over Thatcher), 1985 (6-5 in 12 inn over Hayden), 1989 (14-10 over Thatcher), 1992 (15-10 over Willcox), 1994 (9-7 over Clifton), 1997 (5-0 over Willcox), 1999 (8-3 over Hayden), 2003 (9-1 over Thatcher), 2007 (4-2 over Thatcher), 2014 (3-0 in 5 inn over Willcox), and 2016 (12-2 in 5 inn over Miami).
Willcox was a finalist 20 times, also finishing as the champion 13 times and the runner-up seven times.
The longest championship game played has twice been 12 innings, won 6-5 by Morenci over Hayden in 1985 and 13-12 by Willcox over Morenci in 2010.
Willcox is 3-0 in extra-inning finals, in nine innings during 1986 (16-15 over Morenci), in eight innings during 1993 (13-10 over Clifton), and in 12 innings during 2010 (14-13 over Morenci).
The most combined runs scored in a championship game was 31 in the 1986 nine-innings affair, won by Willcox over Morenci 16-15. The fewest combined runs scored are two in 2012, won 2-0 by Willcox over Thatcher.
Morenci’s baseball facility was dedicated in 2005, honoring 1962 grad, area businessman, and retiree Francis Waldorf, prior to the seventh place game of the 27th tourney.
The Morenci Lions Club has hosted 44 different school teams with 31 state finalists preparing for the post-season in Morenci and 19 finishing as state champions through 44 previous tourneys.
Aside from the 39 Grand Canyon State participants, five teams from four other states have attended at least once, including the Winterhaven San Pasqual Warriors seven times (1988, 1999-2001, 2005-07) from the Golden State, both the Deming Wildcats once (1993) and the Lordsburg Mavericks 10 times (1989-97, 2005) from the Land of Enchantment, the Konawa Tigers once (2016) from the Sooner State, and the Lake Washington Kangaroos once (2019) from the Emerald City in the Evergreen State.
It started as a 2-day, three team tourney in 1979, doubling the next year to six teams in three days, having at least 10 teams for 16 years (1998-2013) with 13 taking part in both 2000 and 2005, and a record number 15 teams in 2002.
A state-of-the-art lighting system was installed for 2006. The Green Monster went up in 2014 as did the retired jersey of 1986 grad Daniel B. Lopez located in left field. He had 10 school records when receiving his diploma. The tournament most valuable player award is named in his honor as is the sportsmanship award for the late area game official Robert Sotelo. A second banner was added after the untimely passing of assistant coach Cameron Jared Austin Bryant Orona. He lost his life on Easter Sunday 2021. The team dedicated the rest of that season to him and it also hangs in left field. Stands for the “Left Field Lunatics” were added in 2022.
