Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Teams lined up after each game to shake hands, fist pump, or high five one another in the sportsmanship ritual. Andrew Chavez (5) reached first base once after being grazed by a pitch and struck out thrice. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Morenci senior drilled a first pitch to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. Day two of the tourney has Safford versus Florence at 11 a.m., Mogollon vs. Morenci at 1:30 p.m., and Hayden vs. the Safford – Florence winner at 4 p.m.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – Mogollon and Morenci remain unbeaten following opening day triumphs in the 44th Morenci Lion’s baseball tourney on April 11.
Hayden defeated Safford 5-1, Mogollon topped Florence 15-7 in six innings, and Morenci slipped past Hayden 8-7 in the eighth inning to advance in the winners’ bracket.
Safford (13-7 overall) faces Florence (15-6) at 11 a.m., Mogollon (9-5) meets Morenci (12-7) at 1:30 p.m., and Hayden (13-5) takes on the Safford – Florence winner at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 12.
The championship game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13
Four of the five teams remain ranked in the top 10 of the statewide rankings as of noon on April 11. The 1A No. 4 Hayden Lobos are 12-4 seeding and 8.4165 rating, the 1A No. 7 Mogollon Mustangs (9-5, 4.2945), the 2A No. 7 Morenci Wildcats (9-5, 3.9740), the 3A No. 8 Florence Gophers (9-5, 7.8577), the 3A No. 16 Safford Bulldogs (8-5, 4.8353).
Florence is in its third appearance, 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.
Safford Bulldogs (13-7 overall)
The Robert Abalos-coached Bulldogs (13-7 overall, 8-5 seeding, 4.7178 rating, 3-2 South Region for 3rd of 8) are averaging a 9-5 (184-95) score per game or a 4-run margin through 20 games.
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).
Florence Gophers (15-6 overall)
The J.T. Neal-coached Gophers (15-6 overall, 9-5 seeding, 7.8608 rating, 3-2 South Central Region for 3rd of 8) are averaging an 8-5 (176-97) score per game or a 3-run margin through 21 games.
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).
Mogollon Mustangs (9-5 overall)
The Reed Porter-coached Mustangs 1A No. 7 (9-5, 8-5, 4.8809, 6-1 East Region for 2nd of 7) are averaging a 9-5 (129-65) score per game or a 4-run margin through 14 games.
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 (12-7 overall)
The Christopher Aguallo-coached Wildcats 2A No. 7 (12-7, 10-5, 3.4123, 4-4 East Region for 5th of 7) are averaging a 7-5 (123-102) score per game or a 2-run margin through 19 games.
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).
Hayden Lobos (13-5 overall)
The Robert Lorona-coached Lobos 1A No. 4 (13-5, 9-2, 8.4530, 5-0 East Region for 1st of 7) are averaging a 10-3 (172-54) score per game or a 7-run margin through 18 games.
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).
Morenci – 8, Hayden – 7 (8 inn)
The words, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion” and “Winners never give up” have been used in certain situations. During the nightcap, they applied.
Those words had been delivered repeatedly to the Wildcats throughout the season by head coach Christopher Aguallo.
Morenci broke a 6-7 eighth-inning deficit to Hayden with a two-out, bases-loaded hit to advance.
A singled Austyn Nelson and doubled Christopher Carbajal put runners on third and second bases, respectively, in the bottom of the eighth inning. An intentionally walked Shane Seballos loaded the bases for Andrew Chavez whose previous plate appearances had resulted in three strikeouts and being beaned.
Chavez drilled the first pitch past the short-stop deep into the outfield, driving in the tying run as well as the go-ahead run. Game over. The runners crossing the plate were mobbed by teammates as was Chavez at second base.
Mogollon scored three in the first, one in the fourth, two in the sixth, and one in the eighth while Morenci countered with one in the first, three in the third, and two in the fifth.
Mogollon – 15, Florence – 7 (6 inn)
Mogollon erupted for 11 first-inning runs and never trailed against Florence. The Pinal County team outscored Mogollon 7-4 during the second through sixth innings, but could not overcome the 11-run first-inning deficit.
Hayden – 5, Safford – 1
Hayden crossed the plate four times in the fourth inning of a scoreless opener, limited designated visitor Safford to a lone run, and added another run to advance with a 5-1 win.
The Lobos sent 16 batters up through the first four innings, went three up and three down once, and stranded six runners while the Bulldogs sent 13 batters up, went three up and three down thrice, and left one on base.
Hayden went through the complete batting order in the fifth, scored a pair of runs with a one-out single, one on another single, and the fourth run on a passed ball before a strikeout halted the scoring.
Meanwhile, the designated visitors again went three up and three down.
The Lobos singled on in the sixth, advanced the runner on a ground out, and advanced the runner on a sacrifice fly, and a fielding error allowed the fifth run before a pick-off occurred to end the scoring.
Safford reached first on an outfield error, grounded out, struck out, scored on a passed ball, singled on, and was picked off for out number three in the seventh inning. Game over.
Tourney Participants’ History
A global health crisis caused cancelation in both 2020 and 2021 and delayed the tourney until 2022. Mogollon went 4-0 to end as a state champion; Hayden went 2-1 to end as a semifinalist; Morenci went 1-1 to end as a quarterfinalist; 42-time participant Thatcher went 1-1 to end as a quarterfinalist; 36-time participant and 1-time state champion Pima fell in the play-in round; 21-time participant and 2-time state champion Saint Johns fell in the play-in round; Florence was bumped out by No. 25 and North Region champion Page; Safford was bumped out by No. 29 and North Region runner-up Fort Defiance Window Rock; and 33-time participant and 2-time state champion Duncan did not qualify.
In 2023, one team bowed out during the play-in round, five teams went a combined 7-4 in the Round of 16 state tourneys, and Hayden emerged as the 1A state champion.
Last season, 22-time participant and 10-time state champion Hayden (25-4 overall, 14-2 seeding, 10-0 region) went 4-0 to earn the 1A state title as the top seed, 44-time participant and 2-time state champion Morenci (14-13-1, 10-7, 6-6) wound up a 2A semifinalist as No. 10, 21-time participant and 3-time state champion Mogollon (10-12, 7-6, 5-5) was a quarterfinalist as No. 10, 3-time participant and 4-time state champion 3A No. 11 Florence (19-9, 12-5, 4-4) bowed out in the first round, and 7-time participant and 4-time state champion Safford (12-10-1, 7-8, 4-4) succumbed in the play-in round as 3A No. 21.
Individually at season’s end, seven players were named all-conference (all-state) first team, six second team, and seven honorable mentions along with a coach of the year; 25 players were selected all-region first team, 19 second team, and 26 honorable mentions along with two coaches of the year. Additionally, there were two defensive players of the year, two offensive players of the year, two players of the year, and a co-player of the year.
Previously, 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).
The Sooner State (1), the Evergreen State (1), the Golden State (7), and the Land of Enchantment (11) have been represented in previous meets, as well as Grand Canyon State participants. The previous out-of-state team came for the 41st (2019) meet.
Over the previous 43 tourneys, the Morenci Lions Club has hosted 39 school teams with 30 different mascots ranging from insects to big game as well as Apaches to Vikings. Visitors have included Cougars, Tigers, Wildcats, and Wildkats plus Bearcats, Bulldogs, Cobras, Eagles, Elks, Falcons, Lobos, Mavericks, Mustangs, Rams, Roadrunners, and Yellow Jackets.
Others in town have been the Champions and Stampede along with Apaches, Braves, Cowboys, Redskins, Sultans, Roughriders, Trojans, Warriors, Vandals, Vikings, and Blue Devils.
Kangaroos made an appearance in Francis Waldorf Stadium for the 41st tourney (2019) and Gophers made an initial visit in 2022.
Through the previous 43 tourneys, 29 state finalists have prepared for the post-season in Morenci, with 18 finishing as state champions. Three of the 41st (2019) tourney participants ended as state finalists, two as state champions.
