Hayden qualifies, pulls away in tourney finale

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Hayden captured its 10th Morenci Lions tourney title on April 13. The Robert Lorona-coached Lobos went through the consolation bracket, needing an entire team effort in the process, to do so. Hayden defeated Safford 5-1 and was edged 8-7 in eight innings by host Morenci on April 11, ousted Florence 3-0 on April 12, and eliminated Morenci 5-2 before posting a 15-6 come-from-behind win over Mogollon in the title game on April 13.

Lobos annexed their initial Morenci Lions’ title in 1979

By Raymundo Frasquillo

MORENCI – Hayden captured the 44th Morenci Lion’s baseball tourney championship with a 15-6 win over Mogollon on April 13.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Cort Porter (23) delivers a split-finger fastball against Hayden during the title game.*

The Lobos (16-5 overall) were a finalist nine times (1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1999, 2023) and thrice the champion in 1979 (5-4 over Morenci), 1987 (12-8 over Willcox), and 1990 (16-8 over Willcox) during 21 previous meets they participated in.

Hayden traversed the consolation bracket route to qualify for its title berth, defeating Morenci (12-9) 5-2 in the semifinal earlier in the day and Florence 3-0 in the quarterfinal on April 12, following an eight-inning winner’s bracket semifinal one-run loss to Morenci and a 5-1 opening round win over Safford on April 11.

Mogollon (10-6) qualified for its third title game berth in 21 meets attended, topping Florence 15-7 in the first round and Morenci 8-1 in the semifinal. The Mustangs fell twice to Willcox during their other title games, 8 -19 during six innings in 2001 and 1-5 during 2006.

Florence (17-6) eliminated Safford (13-8) 6-1 during the consolation bracket opener on April 12.

The all-tournament team included six from both Hayden and Mogollon, four from Morenci, and two from both Florence and Safford.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Each of the five participating teams had at least two players on the 44th Morenci Lions all-tourney team. In front from left, are Mogollon senior Adrian Suarez (5), Hayden junior Jordan Rodriguez (3), senior Eric Fox (13), junior Jacob Manriquez (9), and freshman Darren Smith (2), and Mogollon senior Kyson Owens (3). In back are Morenci junior Christopher Carbajal (8) and senior Emilio Roybal (1), Mogollon sophomore Rocky Porter (22), junior Cort Porter (23), junior Chancy Worsley (14), and junior Hadley Porter (4), Hayden senior Domonic Alvarado (17), junior Matthew Armenta (4), and sophomore Augustine Lorona (22), and Morenci junior Peyton Basteen (16).

Meet champion Hayden had senior Domonic Alvarado (17), juniors Matthew Armenta (4), Jacob Manriquez (9), and Jordan Rodriguez (3), sophomore Augustine Lorona (22), and freshman Darren Smith (2) while runner-up Mogollon had senior Kyson Owens (3) and Adrian Suarez (5), juniors Cort Porter (23), Hadley Porter (4), and Chancy Worsley (14), and sophomore Rocky Porter (22).

Third place Morenci landed seniors Anthony Ballesteros (6) and Emilio Roybal (1) along with juniors Peyton Basteen (16) and Christopher Carbajal (8); and Safford had seniors Isaiah Alvarado (5) and JoJo Ruelas (12).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The Morenci Fire shot off some fireworks following the completion of the championship game on April 13.*

Additionally, Hayden senior infielder Eric Fox was named the Daniel B. Lopez Most Valuable Player, and Safford senior catcher Isaiah Alvarado was selected for the Robert Sotelo Sportsmanship Award.

Despite not playing a seeding game, four of the five participating teams remained ranked in the top 10 of the statewide rankings as of noon on April 12. The Hayden Lobos (9-2 seeding, 8.5506 rating) were 1A No. 4, the Mogollon Mustangs (9-5, 4.1984) 1A No. 7, the Morenci Wildcats (9-5, 4.0250) 2A No. 7, the Florence Gophers (10-4, 7.9845) 3A No. 9, and the Safford Bulldogs (8-5, 5.0706) 3A No. 16.

The rankings as of noon on April 11 were Hayden 1A No. 4 (9-2 seeding, 8.4165 rating), Mogollon 1A No. 7 (9-5, 4.2945), Morenci 2A No. 7 (10-4, 3.9740), Florence 3A No. 8 (9-5, 7.8577), and Safford 3A No. 16 (8-5, 4.8353).

Florence was in its third meet, Safford its seventh, Mogollon its 21st, Hayden its 22nd, and Morenci its 44th. A total of 23 individual 2023 post-season honorees are on the current rosters.

Hayden Lobos (16-5 overall)

The Robert Lorona-coached 1A No. 4 Lobos (16-5, 5-0 East Region for 1st of 7) are averaging a 9-3 (195-62) score per game or a 6-run margin through 21 games.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Hayden sent 15 batters to the plate during the fifth inning, scored 11
runs, and never trailed thereafter. The Lobos reached base on five
singles, three doubles, a triple, and an error.

Hayden has five regular season games remaining to be played, four this week (April 15-20) and one the following week (April 22-27), with four being region counters.

The Lobos travel to Fort Thomas on Tuesday, April 16; host Miami for a non-region game on Wednesday, April 17; visit Mogollon on Thursday, April 18; host Joseph City on Friday, April 19; and visit Lincoln Prep on April 23.

A 27-member roster includes seniors Domonic Alvarado (17), Christopher Casillas (00), Deondre Collier (42), Jarin Cruz (35), Eric Fox (13), Rene Ochoa (8), and Ramon Ramirez (6); juniors Matthew Armenta (4), Paul Gaither (14), Jacob Manriquez (9), and Jordan Rodriguez (3); sophomores Manny Aguirre (99), Angelo Castillo (98), Tyler Garner (7), Mario Hong (21), Augustine Lorona (22), Angel Moreno (27), and Elijah Morrison (20); and freshmen Ryan Garner (10), Lucas Gonzalez (23), Eddie Jaramillo (24), Jonah Lopez (30), Marcos Oropeza (18), Javier Ortega (16), Darrin Smith (2), Alejandro Waddell (44), and Blake Vargas (56).

Mogollon Mustangs (10-6 overall)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Head coach Christopher Aguallo nor team members needed to water down the playing surface between games as was the case before the artificial surface was installed earlier this Spring.

The Reed Porter-coached 1A No. 7 Mustangs (10-6, 6-1 East Region for 2nd of 7) are averaging a 9-5 (143-81) score per game or a 4-run margin through 16 games.

Mogollon has four regular season region games remaining to be played, three this week and one next week. The Mustangs host Superior on April 16, host Joseph City on April 17, host Hayden on April 18, and visit Joseph City on April 23.

An 18-member roster includes seniors Kyson Owens (3), Kadon Porter (53), Keagan Porter (15), and Adrian Suarez (5); juniors Cort Porter (23), Hadley Porter (4), and Chancy Worsley (14); sophomores Stetson Owens (16), Brody Porter (24), Kaleb Porter (19), Rocky Porter (22), Richard Reidhead (32), Slade Reynolds (30), Yoyo Suarez (7), Quinn Tenney (31), and Johnny McKeever (44); and freshmen Alejandro Pimental (12) and Anthony Pimental (42).

Morenci Wildcats (13-9 overall)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Ruben Rojas proudly holds the Morenci Lions Club “Lion of the Year” Award, presented to a member for outstanding service, loyalty, and devotion to Lionism.*

The Christopher Aguallo-coached 2A No. 7 Wildcats (13-9, 5-4 East Region for 3rd of 7) are averaging a 6-5 (143-117) score per game or a 1-run margin through 22 games.

Morenci had four regular season games remaining on its schedule, three this week and one next week, with all being in region play. The Wildcats run-ruled Tucson Santa Rita (17-2 in 5 inn, April 15). The team will host Tombstone on April 16 and Benson on April 19, and visit Pima on April 22.

A 17-member roster includes seniors Anthony Ballesteros (6), Andrew Chavez (5), Austin Hudman (24), Aaron Mason (23), Austyn Nelson (10), Emilio Roybal (1), and Tristan Sanchez (22); juniors Peyton Basteen (16), Christopher Carbajal (8), Christopher Lopez (3), Jordan Romero (20), Shane Seballos (7), Raymond Segobia (12), and Jacob Verdugo (13); and sophomores Bryant Figueroa (2), Jaymz Guzzo (4), and Anthony Roybal (34).

Florence Gophers (18-6 overall)

The J.T. Neal-coached 3A No. 8 Gophers (18-6 overall, 4-2 South Central Region for 3rd of 8) are averaging an 8-4 (186-104) score per game or a 4-run margin through 24 games.

Florence had three regular season region games still on tap, edging Benjamin Franklin (4-3, April 15), as well as welcoming American Leadership – Ironwood on Wednesday, April 17, and traveling to San Tan Foothills on April 22, both San Tan Valley schools.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Andrew Chavez (5) slides onto second base ahead of the tag and is ruled safe. The Morenci senior batted .333 (1-3) against Hayden on April 13 and went a combined .364 (4-11) for the three games played during the tourney.

A 16-member roster includes seniors Gabe Lizarraga (12), Noah Madueno (9), and Mikey Martling (16); juniors Tanner Gammons (7), Rylin Leopoldino (1), Cameron Lorefice (2), Zane O’Rourke (3), and Logan Stenson (8); sophomores Jayden Magill (11), Wyatt Stenson (4), and Bryce Tanner (22); and freshmen Jaryn Leopoldino (9), Ralin Moser (17), Jagger Navarro (10), Brody Ramirez (13), and Adrian Rodriguez (15).

Safford Bulldogs (13-8 overall)

The Robert Abalos-coached 3A No. 16 Bulldogs (13-9 overall, 4-2 South Region for 4th of 8) are averaging a 9-5 (189-113) score per game or a 4-run margin through 22 games.

Safford had two regular season home games remaining to be played, falling in a non-region contest to Douglas (4-12, April 15) and a region counter with Thatcher on April 18.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Kyson Owens (3) fouls off a pitch against Hayden during the title game. The Mogollon senior received a full-count, two-out, bases=loaded fourth-inning walk. It led to three consecutive runs scored and a 5-2 advantage by the Mustangs.

A 14-member roster includes seniors Isaiah Alvarado (5), Michael Chavez (7), Juan Estrada (23), JoJo Ruelas (12), and Chris Shatto (8); juniors Carlos Arbizo (21), Cole Goodman (24), and Zayden Sanchez (31); sophomores Damian Abril (9), Dylan Broderick (20), Darren Maldonado (22), and Dylan Stahl (6); and freshmen Osvaldo Estrada (34) and Andrew Trujillo (33).

April 13

Hayden – 15, Mogollon – 6

Trailing 2-5 through four innings, Hayden crossed the plate 11 times while sending 15 batters up in the fifth. The Lobos reached base on five walks, three singles, three doubles, a triple, and an error.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: The base paths no longer need to be leveled between games as was routinely done previously.*

Mogollon added a run in the seventh while Hayden added one in both the sixth and seventh to account for the scoring.

The designated home team Mustangs went three up and three down during the first two innings before going through the entire batting order in the third and scoring thrice.

Mogollon stranded eight runners compared to nine by Hayden.

Hayden – 5, Morenci – 1

Mogollon scored four runs with its initial four batters, getting on with a pair of singles and loading the bases on a bunt single. The Mustangs crossed the plate on an outfield error plus a stolen base. A 0-4 walk was followed by a pick-off on a steal attempt and a pair of strikeouts, four consecutive three up and three down, and another run with five batters up. The fifth run was doubled in following a sixth-inning walk.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Friends, neighbors, and family members attended the tourney games to support the teams as well as where the proceeds wind up.*

Morenci scored its lone run on a throwing error after the grazed batter reached first with one out in the second inning.

For the game, Mogollon batted .286 (8-28), stranded five base runners, and made a lone error compared to .143 (3-21), four runners left on, and two errors by Morenci.

On the mound, two Morenci pitchers struck out six, walked five, yielded a sacrifice, and eight hits while one Hayden pitcher struck out two, walked two, grazed two, and allowed three hits.

2024 Tourney Participant Finalists

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Hayden infielder Eric Fox (3) earned the Daniel B. Lopez Most Valuable Player Award, presented by his widow Misty Lopez, son Christopher Lopez, and grandson Christopher Lopez.

Mogollon (2001, 2006) and Safford (2022, 2023) have twice been finalists with the Bulldogs the team champion in 2023 (13-1 over Hayden); Hayden a finalist nine times (1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1999, 2023) and champion in 1979 (5-4 over Morenci), 1987 (12-8 over Willcox), and 1990 (16-8 over Willcox); and Morenci 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) and champion 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).

Over the previous 43 tourneys, the Morenci Lions Club has hosted 39 school teams with 29 state finalists preparing for the post-season in Morenci, 18 finishing as state champions.