Morenci travels to Bisbee, Phoenix, this week
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Fort Thomas Apaches (4-5 overall) visit Greenlee County for their initial pairing with Morenci (8-8) in the nine-year Joseph Garcia Era on Wednesday, April 2. The Wildcats travel to Cochise County for a region contest with the Bisbee Pumas (11-6) on Tuesday, April 1, and journey to Maricopa County for a shot at the Phoenix Horizon Honors Eagles (9-1) on Friday, April 4.
Under Garcia, the Wildcats have yet to succumb to the Pumas, averaging an 18-3 (236-45) score per game or 15-point margin through 13 region pairings lasting 64 innings. The most recent win over the Pumas was 16-5 (5 inn) in Bisbee on March 8, 2024.
Morenci is 1-4 against the Eagles and has averaged a 4-8 (21-42) score per game or a 4-point deficit through five pairings with two abbreviated losses. The lone win was 8-7 (April 17, 2024) in Morenci.
Horizon Honors was a recent state finalist twice, finishing 23-4 as the 2023 state champion over No. 3 Flagstaff Northland Prep (4-3, May 6) from the No. 8 slot and 24-4 as the 2024 runner-up to No. 2 Laveen Heritage (9-10, May 12) from the No. 4 slot. The Wildcats met the Eagles twice during the post-season, falling 6-8 as No. 9 to No. 8 (April 29, 2023) and 3-7 as No. 7 to No. 10 (May 6, 2022) in the first round. The Eagles also prevailed twice in five innings during the Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney: 9-0 (Feb. 24, 2024) and 11-4 (Feb. 28, 2025).
Other seeding pairings for South Region members for this week (March 31-April 5) include Tombstone (7-12) at Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (5-3), Benson (10-7) at Tucson Santa Rita (1-5), and Tucson Desert Christian (2-9) at Tucson San Miguel Catholic (0-7) on April 1; Benson at Willcox (10-7) on April 2; Bisbee at Santa Rita, Willcox at Saint Augustine, Desert Christian at Benson, and Tombstone at San Miguel on April 4.
Upcoming 2A East Region pairings include Chandler Prep at Miami on April 1, Leading Edge at Pima on April 3, and Gilbert Classical at San Carlos on April 3.
Non-region pairings include Wickenburg at Chandler Prep, Leading Edge at Phoenix Madison Highland Prep on April 2, and Duncan at Miami on April 4.
2A South Region Standings
Region standings through March 29 have Willcox (10-7 overall, 5-1 seeding, 2-0 region) first, Bisbee (10-7, 5-2, 1-0) second, Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (5-3, 4-2, 1-0) third, Benson (6-9, 3-4, 1-0) fourth, Morenci (8-8, 4-4, 1-1) fifth, Tucson Desert Christian (2-9, 2-3, 1-1) sixth, Tombstone (7-12, 5-4, 0-1) seventh, Tucson Santa Rita (1-5, 1-5, 0-2) eighth, and Tucson San Miguel Catholic (0-7, 0-7, 0-2) ninth.
Region game results through March 29 include Willcox over Santa Miguel (27-4 in 4 inn, March 24) and Morenci (17-16, March 27); Bisbee over Desert Christian (16-6 in 5 inn, March 24); Saint Augustine over Santa Rita (34-15 in 5 inn, March 24); Benson over San Miguel (22-1 in 4 inn, March 27); and Morenci over Tombstone (15-13, March 24).
2A East Region Standings
Region standings through March 29 have Chandler Prep (10-3 overall, 4-1 seeding, 1-0 region) first, Miami (7-6, 5-4, 1-0) second, Gilbert Leading Edge (4-6, 2-5, 0-0) third, San Carlos (1-6, 1-4, 0-0) fourth, Pima (2-6, 0-4, 0-1) fifth, and Gilbert Classical (0-5, 0-5, 0-1) sixth.
Region game results through March 29 Chandler Prep over Pima (12-8, March 28), Miami over Gilbert Classical (4-27, March 28).
Bisbee Pumas (11-6 overall)
The Melissa Wright-coached 2A South Region Pumas (11-6 overall, 5-2 seeding, 1-0 region) are averaging a 9-6 (155-109) score per game or a 3-run margin through 17 games.
Bisbee has seeding game wins over Benson (12-3, March 4), San Manuel (16-4 in 5 inn, March 8), Elfrida Valley Union (23-7 in 5 inn, March 18), Desert Christian (16-6 in 5 inn, March 24), and Tombstone (10-7, March 27) along with losses to Saint David (4-7, March 6) and Willcox (7-15, March 11).
The Pumas went 4-0 during the 3-day Tolleson tourney and 1-5 during the 2-day Douglas tourney. Bisbee topped Kearny Ray (14-1 in 5 inn, March 12), Camp Verde (7-4 in 5 inn, March 12), Ganado (10-1 in 4 inn, March 14), Bagdad (11-4 in 5 inn, March 14), and Nogales (10-3 in 5 inn, March 22) along with losses to Douglas (2-18 in 4 inn, March 21), Tucson Flowing Wells (4-7 in 5 inn, March 21), Tucson Desert View (7-12 in 4 inn, March 21), Casa Grande Vista Grande (4-6 in 4 inn, March 22), and Flowing Wells (0-4 in 5 inn, March 22).
Bisbee has a 17-member team with a roster of nine seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, and three freshmen. The roster includes seniors Aliana Flores (18), Donna Hectus (24), Yaslin Hernandez (1), Jordan Holly (19), Maria Lopez (13), Mia Lopez (14), Daney Morales (3), Destiny Rodriguez (4), and Isabella Solis (11); juniors Andrea Borbon (9), Jordyn Borquez (8), and Alyssa Lopez (10); sophomores Adela Blume (2) and Abigail Mecklenburg (15); and freshmen Xenia Ballesteros (12), Itxel Borbon (6), and Iliana Miranda (5).
The Pumas are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with Benson, Morenci, Tombstone, Willcox, and Tucson schools Desert Christian, Saint Augustine Catholic, San Miguel Catholic, and Santa Rita.
Fort Thomas Apaches (4-5 overall)
The Loreal Jones-coached 1A South Region Apaches (4-5 overall, 4-2 seeding, 2-1 region) are averaging a 10-11 (92-101) score per game or a 1-run deficit through nine games.
Fort Thomas has seeding game wins over San Simon (20-11, March 4), Santa Rita (24-4 in 4 inn, March 25), San Carlos (19-1 in 3 inn, March 26), and Sells Baboquivari (21-7 in 5 inn, March 27) along with losses to Saint David (0-18, March 5) and Winkelman Hayden (6-16, March 13).
The Apaches went 0-3 during the 2-day Chandler Prep tourney, falling to Holbrook (1-10 in 5 inn, March 20), Chandler Prep (0-15 in 4 inn, March 21), and Ash Fork/Seligman (1-19 in 4 inn, March 21).
Fort Thomas has a 17-member team with a roster of two seniors, six juniors, six sophomores, and three freshmen. The roster includes seniors Veronica Bonita (13) and Sydney Hosay (2); juniors Kaylee Benally (12), Makayla Chapman (10), Treyiah Declay (17), Sadie Harvey (7), Raeleigh Hawkins (6), and Kirah Moses (18); sophomores Cory Cody (8), Kaylee Hinton (15), Tranessa Jones (19), Jaysla Longstreet (9), Alycia Sanchez (11), and Lyra Sanchez (16); and freshmen Taylor Hopkins (1), Timira Patten (14), and Leilynn Wesley (3).
The Apaches are competing in the 7-member 1A South Region with Duncan, Elfrida Valley Union, Patagonia, Saint David, San Simon, and Sells Baboquivari.
Horizon Honors Eagles (9-1 overall)
The Mike Corey-coached 2A Valley Region Eagles (9-1 overall, 5-1 seeding, 1-1 region) are averaging a 10-1 (137-40) score per game or a 9-run margin through 10 games.
Horizon Honors has seeding game wins over Tempe Prep (21-0 in 3 inn, March 5), Benson (17-2 in 3 inn, March 17), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-8, March 20), Eloy Santa Cruz (6-3, March 27), and Desert Christian (16-3 in 5 inn, March 29) as well as a loss to Desert Christian (3-16 in 5 inn, March 29).
The Eagles went 4-0 during the 3-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney. Horizon Honors defeated San Tan Valley Poston Butte (5-2, Feb. 27), Morenci (11-4 in 5 inn, Feb. 28), Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (10-5 in 5 inn, Feb. 28), and Queen Creek Crismon (7-5 in 5 inn, March 1).
Horizon Honors has an 11-member team with one senior, five juniors, two sophomores, and three freshmen. The roster includes senior Danica Gutiérrez (3); juniors Audriana Anglada (27), Josie Barden (17), Lindsey Johnson (7), Isabella Singelton (25), and Nicole Topete (2); sophomores Annie Jimenez (9) and Dalia Morson (99); and freshmen Isabelle Arellano, CeCe Brown, and Tatum Spindler.
The Eagles are competing in the 6-member 2A Valley Region with Eloy Santa Cruz, Florence American Leadership – Anthem South, Laveen Heritage, and Phoenix schools Arizona Lutheran and NFL Yet.
Morenci Wildcats (8-8 overall)
The Joseph Garcia-coached 2A South Region Wildcats (8-8 overall, 4-4 seeding, 1-1 region) are averaging an 8-7 (134-116) score per game or a 1-run margin through 16 games.
Morenci has seeding game wins over Miami (11-0 in 5 inn, March 5), Pima (15-0 in 5 inn, March 11), Eagar Round Valley (13-3 in 6 inn, March 19), and Tombstone (15-13, March 24). The losses are to Willcox (0-10 in 5 inn, March 14), Saint Johns (6-9, March 17), Willcox (16-17 in 10 inn, March 27), and Tucson Empire (1-11 in 5 inn, March 28).
The Wildcats went 3-1 during the 3-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tournament and 1-3 during the 2-day Chandler Prep tourney. Morenci topped Gilbert Christian (23-0 in 3 inn, Feb. 27), San Tan Valley Poston Butte (9-7 in 6 inn, Feb. 28), Phoenix Northwest Christian (14-2 in 5 inn, March 1), and Prescott (5-2 in 6 inn, March 20). The losses were to Phoenix Horizon Honors (4-11 in 5 inn, Feb. 28), Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep (0-18 in 5 inn, March 20), Phoenix Thunderbird (2-12 in 5 inn, March 21), and Thatcher (0-1, March 21).
Morenci has a 15-member team with two seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, and four freshmen. The roster includes seniors Ariana Burnette (20) and Cameryn Woodall (3); juniors Jaliyah Hernandez (14), Jaimie Turner (2), and Shaylee Wichmann (13); sophomores Tiara Jones (15), Kieralyn Madrigal (6), Malina Martinez (7), Mayeli Salazar (5), Kailee Sandoval (8), and Janessa Webb (9); and freshmen Ava Basteen (1), Khloee Kouts (11), Emily Rivera (17), Leiah Strong (16), and Alyza Marin (19).
The Wildcats compete in the 9-member 2A South Region with Benson, Bisbee, Tombstone, Willcox, and Tucson schools Desert Christian, Saint Augustine Catholic, San Miguel Catholic, and Santa Rita.
Empire – 11, Morenci – 1 (5 inn)
The visiting Wildcats took an early, short-lived 1-0 lead on the initial plate appearance by sophomore infielder Tiara Jones. Her two-out swing sent the ball over the left-center field fence for a solo home run. A walked Mayeli Salazar was followed by a third strikeout to halt the scoring and would be the most batters stepping up for Morenci during the rest of the game. The Wildcats had one fewer batter in the second innings, then going three up and three down thrice to limit their offensive output.
Empire countered with a two-out, two-run senior Eva Peace round-tripper and never trailed thereafter. The Ravens added four runs in the third with two outs, one singled in by sophomore Gabrianna Brooks and three on senior Angelina Dehler’s homer; four in the fourth with two outs, one singled in by senior Kendall Freidinger, two doubled in by freshman Kapri Tiggas, and one singled in by junior Ahna Dahliwal; and one in the fifth on lead-off senior reserve Emylie Alkire’s game-ending 11th run, a solo home run.
Morenci batted .065 (1-15) and stranded two base runners compared to .478 (11-23) and five runners left on by Empire.
Jones batted .500 (1-2, RBI, home run). Junior Shaylee Wichmann yielded 11 hits, four walks, and 9-11 earned runs while facing 28 batters during five innings.
The Ravens had Dhaliwal (2-2, RBI) along with seniors Abby Zsitvay (2-2), Alkire (1-1, RBI, home run), and Peace (1-1, 2 RBIs, home run) batting 1.000, Brooks .667 (2-3, RBI), Dehler (RBI, home run) and Tiggas (2 RBIs, double) both .500 (1-2), and Freidinger .333 (1-3, RBI).
In the circle, Freidinger struck out nine, walked three, and allowed one hit and one of one earned run while facing 18 batters during five innings.
The Ravens followed their home win over Morenci with an abbreviated road triumph in Winslow the next day, returning to Tucson with a 16-0 overall season record.
Empire was the most recent 3A state finalist, finishing 26-7 as the 2024 state champion over No. 1 Chandler Valley Christian (10-6, May 11) from the No. 7 slot and 29-2 as the 2023 state runner-up to No. 1 Tucson Sabino (2-5, May 20) from No. 2 slot.
Willcox – 17, Morenci – 16 (10 inn)
Sophomore designated batter Gloria Encinas singled in the tie-breaking 16th run and go-ahead 17th run with no outs in the top of the 10th inning. She was followed by a fly out, a ground out, a walk, and a fly out.
For Morenci, a strikeout, sophomore Kieralyn Madrigal reached first on an error, Wichmann doubled on, sophomore Malina Martinez sacrifice flied in the 16th run, and a ground out recorded the third out. Game over.
The visiting Cowgirls took an early 2-0 lead, with walked junior Nataly Thompson and senior Layla Donahue crossing the plate before a third out was recorded in the first inning, led 6-5 after two, 8-6 after four, and 11-10 after five.
Walked senior Abi Tingle and freshman Janelle Vandermeulen plus singled Thompson and senior Madison Bennett scored before the third out in the second; Bennett reached first on a fielder’s choice with one out and a Donahue home run drove both in during the fourth; senior Emma McWilliams reached first on an error, Tingle doubled McWilliams in, Vandermeulen reached first on a one-out error allowing Tingle to score, and a Bennett ground out allowed Vandermeulen passage home before the third out in the fifth.
Morenci scored five in the second (5-6) as a walked Wichmann, singled Martinez, and walked freshman Khloee Kouts loaded the bases for senior Cameryn Woodall’s 4-run homer, and a grazed junior Jaliyah Hernandez was singled in by Madrigal with two outs before a ground out halted the threat with two on; 0ne in the fourth (6-8) as a doubled Tiara Jones was doubled in by Mayeli Salazar with one out followed by a fly out and strike out; four in the fifth (10-11) as Martinez singled on, Woodall walked, Hernandez reached first on a fielder’s choice allowing Martinez to score, and Jones cleared the bases with a 3-run homer before the third out.
The Wildcats limited Willcox to four batters in the sixth, but two fly outs and a ground out also had senior Gabriela Galaz belt out a solo home run for a 10-12 deficit. Morenci added five runs during its at bat, with a Martinez single, Kouts reaching first on a one-out error, Woodall doubling both in (12-12), Hernandez singling in Woodall (13-12), and Jones driving in two runs (15-12) with a homer before the next two outs.
Willcox tied it with seven batters scoring three runs (15-15) in the seventh. Encinas, Vandermeulen, and Bennett singled to load the bases, and the trio scored on an outfield error. Morenci sent up six batters to load the bases with one out, but two fly outs stranded them. The teams both totaled nine batters apiece during the next two plate appearances.
Morenci batted .385 (20-52), stranded 15 base runners, and committed seven errors versus .275 (14-51), 10 runners left on, and three errors by Willcox.
Madrigal batted .571 (4-7, RBI, double), Jones (3-6, 5 RBIs, double, 2 home runs), Martinez (3-6, RBI, sac), Woodall (2-4, 6 RBIs, double, home run), and sophomore Janessa Webb (1-2) .500 apiece, Salazar .400 (2-5, RBI, double), Hernandez (2 RBIs) and Wichmann (double) both .333 (1-3), freshman Ava Basteen .250 (1-4), and Kouts .167 (1-6).
In the circle, Woodall and Wichmann combined their skills to strikeout seven, walk six, and allow 14 hits plus nine of 17 earned runs while facing 57 batters during 10 innings.
For Willcox, Donahue (5 RBIs, home run), Thompson, and Tingle (RBI, double) batted .400 (2-5) apiece, Bennett .500 (3-6, RBI), Galaz (RBI, home run) and Encinas (2 RBIs) both .333 (2-6), and Vandermeulen .200 (1-5).
In the circle, senior Alyssa Gonzalez went the distance, striking out six, walking seven, grazing two, and yielding a sacrifice plus 20 hits and 11 of 16 earned runs while facing 62 batters during 10 innings.
It was not the longest regular season game played by Morenci. The Wildcats went 11 innings in a 5-2 win over Safford (April 11, 2017). Morenci finished first (9-1) and Willcox second (7-3) in the 2A East Region during 2024. The Wildcats are 60-17 in region play versus 50-24 for the Cowgirls from 2017-24 under Joseph Garcia.
