By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Benji Morales-coached top-seeded Morenci Middle School Wildcats (20-3 overall) pulled away from third-seeded Thatcher for a 13-9 triumph on April 29. The win gave Morenci the title of the Eastern Arizona Junior High Association’s softball tourney.
The Wildcats added three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 13-9 advantage, held Thatcher scoreless in the fifth, and did not bat again.
Thatcher led 2-1 after a complete inning of play, while Morenci led 3-2 after two innings and 10-2 after three innings.
The Eagles’ starting line-up consisted of Gizelle Larrabee (6), Emery Carlsen (21), Blake Householder (5), Callie Carter (10), Josie Bendall (19), Braiya Varela (3), Braelyn Duncan (2), Hannah Maybury (9), and Chloe Solberg (18). The starting pitcher was Braelyn Duncan (2).
Morenci had lead-off better and first baseman Shaysea Marin (2), second baseman Annalaya Munoz (8), shortstop Serenity Chavarria (6), catcher Siena Martinez (22), centerfielder Alyssa Rosales (21), third baseman Ariana Rogers (5), designated player Cyndle Garcia (16), pitcher Braelynn Blair (27), left fielder Mackenzie Hernandez (18), and right fielder Evelynn Blair (10).
Conference Tourney Champion
Conference Tourney title winner Morenci included a 17-member roster of seven 8th Graders, six 7th Graders, and four 6th Graders. The 8th Graders were Serenity Chavarria (6), Sophia Davis(3), Cyndle Garcia (16), Mackenzie Hernandez (18), Julia Lane (1), Shaysea Marin (2), and Aaliyah Mesa (7); 7th Graders Remmy Beck (24), Braelynn Blair (27), Evelynn Blair (10), Siena Martinez (22), Annalaya Munoz (8), and Alyssa Rosales (21); and 6th Graders Paisley Marin (4), Ariana Rogers (5), Chloe Shamberger (9), and Riccie Varela (12).
Conference Tourney Runners-up
Thatcher finished second to Morenci in the conference tourney. The third seeded Eagles, coached by Savannah Solberg, were Jayde Allred (1), Josie Bendall (19), Emery Carlsen (21), Callie Carter (10), Braelyn Duncan (2), Olivia Hall (12), Hailey Hobbs (25), Blake Householder (5), Payslee Hunt (8), Gizelle Larrabee (6), Marlee Mack (24), Hannah Maybury (9), Kinley McNeil (17), Skylar Morris (26), Zoeii Mueller (20), Chloe Solberg (18), Braiya Varela (3), Rilyn Whisman (22).
