Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Christopher Lopez (3), Emilio Roybal (1), Andrew Chavez (5), and Bryant Figueroa (2) encourage teammates during the final Morenci plate appearance against Pima. The No. 10 Wildcats edged the No. 7 Roughriders 6-5 on March 27. Morenci welcomes No. 5 Bisbee for a region contest on Friday, April 5.
Pumas ranked No. 5, Wildcats No. 10 on April 4
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The No. 5 Bisbee Pumas step onto the recently completed artificial playing surface in Francis Waldorf Stadium on Friday, April 5.
The No. 10 Morenci Wildcats were to visit the No. 32 Santa Rita Eagles on April 2, but a weather-related postponement occurred. Instead, the pairing has been rescheduled for April 15. The pairings are both region contests.
The Wildcats have wins over both opponents this season, 12-2 in five innings over Santa Rita (March 6) in WFS and 6-5 over Bisbee (March 8) in Warren Ball Park. The Eagles have played five games totaling 22 innings thus far and have posted two wins in 101 games played during six of the previous eight years (2016-23). Santa Rita did not field teams in 2020 or 2021.
Since the Wildcats swept the Pumas in Morenci (3-2 in 8 inn, March 24) and in Bisbee (5-4, April 11) during 2006, the year a state-of-the-art lighting system was installed in Francis Waldorf Stadium, Bisbee went on to post a 20-6 won-loss record during the ensuing 14 of 18 seasons. The teams did not meet in 2012, 2013, 2016, or 2020. Three other pairings have gone into extra innings, during 2014 in Morenci (4-3 Bisbee 10 inn win), 2017 in Bisbee (8-7 Bisbee 8 inn win), and 2019 in Tempe Diablo Stadium (3-2 Morenci 8 inn win).
In other region pairings this week (April 1-6), Bisbee edged the Bobcats 3-2 in Benson, and Pima succumbed 5-6 to the Yellow Jackets in Tombstone on April 2; Bisbee blanked Santa Rita 19-0 in five innings on April 4; and Benson visits Pima and Tombstone visits Willcox on April 5.
Non-region pairings included Miami at Pima on April 1, rescheduled for April 18, and Willcox succumbing to Empire in Tucson Empire on April 4.
No. 5 Bisbee Pumas (15-4 overall)
The Todd Hammett-coached Bisbee Pumas (15-4 overall, 8-3 seeding, 6-2 East Region for second) are averaging a score of 13-3 (245-62) per game or a 10-run margin through 19 games.
Bisbee has seeding wins over Tucson Santa Rita (43-0 in 3 inn, Feb. 21), Tucson San Miguel Catholic (32-1 in 4 inn, Feb. 26), Benson (6-3, March 5), Willcox (13-6, March 21), San Manuel (17-5 in 5 inn, March 23), Tombstone (7-0, March 26), Benson (3-2, April 2), and Santa Rita (19-0 in 5 inn, April 4). The losses are to Morenci (5-6, March 8), Pima (0-3, March 13), and Tanque Verde (2-13 I 6 inn, March 30).
The Pumas also went a combined 7-1 during two tourneys, 3-1 in the Phoenix Christian tourney and 4-0 in their own tourney. The wins were over Glendale Desert Heights Prep (9-7 in 5 inn, Feb. 23), Tonopah Valley (14-1 in 6 inn, Feb. 23), Payson (6-2 in 6 inn, Feb. 24), Saint David (10-7 in 3 inn, Feb. 29), San Miguel (23-0 in 4 inn, March 1), Tuba City (22-0 in 4 inn, March 1), and Willcox (9-0 in 5 inn, March 2). The loss was to Phoenix Christian (5-6 in 6 inn, Feb. 24).
At the plate through 18 games, the team batting average was .429 (177-413) with 193 of 216 runs batted in, 30 doubles, nine triples, and six home runs. It also includes 64 strikeouts, 104 bases on balls, and being beaned 18 times.
The Pumas have used a pitching corps of seven, with a combined earned run average of 1.71, struck out 126, yielded 47 hits and 48 walks, and beaned six while facing 370 batters during 86 innings.
A 14-member roster includes seniors Michael Alvarez (10), Jose Mendez (11), and Anthony Molina (5); juniors Ivan Ibarra (14), Emilio Diaz-Lopez (18), Sebastian Lopez (0), Bryan Martinez (15), Bryceton Meyer (1), Xavier Montiel (9), and Horacio Olivarria (7); sophomores Fabian Hernandez (23) and Hunter Wright (13); and freshmen Jaxxon Alvarez (8) and Trystan Meyer (16).
No. 10 Morenci Wildcats (9-7 overall)
The Christopher Aguallo-coached Morenci Wildcats (9-7 overall, 7-5 seeding, 3-4 East Region for fifth) are averaging a score of 6-5 (103-85) per game or a 1-run margin through 16 games.
Morenci has seeding wins over Miami (14-3, March 4), Santa Rita (March 5), Bisbee (6-5, March 8), San Carlos (18-2, March 14), Round Valley (8-7, March 20), Saint Johns (6-3, March 22), and Pima (6-5, March 27). The losses are to Willcox (5-6, March 11), Winkelman Hayden (9-10, March 13), Tombstone (1-4, March 15), Willcox (0-11, March 18), Benson (1-10, March 25), and Pima (6-5, March 27).
The Wildcats also went 2-2 during the 3-day Benjamin Franklin tourney on Feb. 22-24, with wins over Miami (6-1 in 4 inn, Feb. 29) and Superior (2-1 in 5 inn, March 1) along with losses to Thatcher (0-4 in 5 inn, Feb. 29) and Show Low (10-11 in 5 inn, March 2).
At the plate, the team batting average is .302 (114-378) with 80 of 96 runs batted in, 18 doubles, four triples, and seven home runs. It also includes 113 strikeouts, 54 bases on balls, and being beaned 20 times.
The Wildcats have used a pitching corps of eight, with a combined earned run average of 3.45, struck out 96, yielded 84 hits and 71 walks, and beaned nine while facing 439 batters during 87 1/3 innings.
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).
2A East Region Standings
The region standings through April 4 are Tombstone (11-4 overall, 8-3 seeding, 5-1 region) first, Bisbee (15-4, 8-3, 6-2) second, Pima (8-7-1, 3-5, 3-3) third, Willcox (8-9, 4-6, 3-3) fourth, Morenci (9-7, 7-5, 3-4) fifth, Benson (7-12-1, 4-7, 2-4) sixth, and Tucson Santa Rita (0-5, 0-5, 0-4) seventh.
To date in region pairings, Tombstone (5-1) has region wins over Pima (4-2, March 5), Santa Rita (22-0, March 12), Morenci (4-1, March 15), Benson (7-5, March 28), and Pima (6-5, April 2). The Jamie Milligan-coached No. 4 Yellow Jackets are averaging an 8-5 (115-73) score per game or a 3-run margin through 15 games.
Bisbee (6-2) has region wins over Santa Rita (43-0, Feb. 21), Benson (6-3, March 5), Willcox (13-6, March 21), Tombstone (7-0, March 26), Benson (3-2, April 2), and Santa Rita (19-0 in 5 inn, April 4). The Todd Hammett-coached No. 5 Pumas are averaging a score of 13-3 (245-62) per game or a 10-run margin through 19 games.
Pima (3-3) has region wins over Benson (8-0, March 8), Bisbee (3-0, March 13), and Willcox (16-3, March 15). The Tim DeCrow-coached No. 8 Roughriders are averaging a score of 6-4 (100-58) per game or a 2-run margin through 16 games.
Willcox (3-3) has region wins over Morenci (6-5, March 11), Morenci (11-0, March 18), and Santa Rita (16-3 in 5 inn., March 26). The Adrian Fuentes-coached No. 15 Cowboys are averaging a score of 6-7 (100-117) per game or a 1-run deficit through 17 games.
Morenci (3-4) has region wins over Santa Rita (12-2, March 6), Bisbee (6-5, March 8), and Pima (6-5, March 27). The Christopher Aguallo-coached No. 10 Wildcats are averaging a score of 6-5 (103-85) per game or a 1-run margin through 16 games.
Benson (2-4) has region wins over Willcox (9-2, March 23) and Morenci (10-1, March 25). The Fred Trujillo-coached No. 12 Bobcats are averaging a score of 6-6 (126-123) per game or a tie through 20 games.
The John Chandler-coached No. 32 Santa Rita Eagles (0-4) are averaging a score of 1-23 (6-139) per game or a 22-run deficit through six games.
2A State Rankings
The 2A Top 24 rankings for the 39 teams, at noon on April 4, numbered 6-7 (.857) from the East Region, 4-6 (.667) from both the South and West Regions, 3-5 (.600) from the Metro Region, 2-4 (.500) from both the Central and Valley Region, and 3-7 (.429) from the North Region.
Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (8-0 seeding, 11.2048 rating) was No. 1, Phoenix Horizon Honors (10-1, 8.6601) No. 2, Phoenix Christian (7-1, 8.0907) No. 3, Tombstone (8-3, 5.9223) No. 4, Bisbee (7-3, 5.0443) No. 5, Kingman Academy (7-4, 4.9241) No. 6, Eagar Round Valley (9-3, 3.6584) No. 7, and Gilbert San Tan Charter (9-3, 3.1192) No. 8.
Saint Johns (9-3, 2.2336) was No. 9, Morenci (7-5, 2.1621) No. 10, Pima (3-5, 1.4281) No. 11, Benson (4-6, 1.0667) No. 12, Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (6-4, 0.7981) No. 13, Phoenix Veritas Prep (5-3, minus 0.0298) No. 14, Chandler Prep (7-5, minus 0.0042) No. 15, and Willcox (4-5, minus 0.0243) No. 16.
Gilbert Classical (7-5, minus 0.9963) was No. 17, Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (6-5, minus 1.6373) No. 18, Sanders Valley (5-4, minus 2.1356) No. 19, Scottsdale Prep (4-4, minus 2.7518) No. 20, Eloy Santa Cruz (4-6, minus 2.8885) No. 21, Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (7-8, minus 3.2086) No. 22, Glendale Trivium Prep (3-4, minus 3.3145) No. 23, and Glendale Prep (3-6, minus 4.2181) No. 24.
The initial 2A Top 24 rankings, released at noon on March 26, had 6-7 (.857) from the East Region, 4-5 (.800) from the Metro Region, 3-4 from the Valley Region, 4-6 (.667) from both the South and West Regions, 2-7 (.286) from the North Region, and 1-4 (.125) from the Central Region.
Tombstone (6-2 seeding, 7.2646 rating) was No. 1, Arizona Lutheran (6-0, 7.1968) No. 2, Horizon Honors (6-1, 6.6858) No. 3, Phoenix Christian (4-1, 6.6542) No. 4, San Tan Charter (7-1, 5.1376) No. 5, Saint Johns (7-1, 4.3401) No. 6, Pima (3-2, 4.2091) No. 7, and Kingman Academy (5-2, 4.0814) No. 8.
Bisbee (5-2, 3.9109) was No. 9, Round Valley (6-3, 3.0212) No. 10, Benson (4-4, 2.2872) No. 11, Morenci (6-5, 1.4563) No. 12, Saint Augustine (4-4, 0.3579) No. 13, Chandler Prep (5-3, minus 0.7186) No. 14, Willcox (3-5, minus 0.8944) No. 15, and Gilbert Classical (5-4, minus 1.1758) No. 16.
Veritas Prep (4-3, minus 1.5039) was No. 17, Santa Cruz (3-4, minus 2.2056) No. 18, Saint John Paul II (7-6, minus 2.6792) No. 19, Madison Highland Prep (4-4, minus 2.9997) No. 20, Phoenix Country Day School (2-4, minus 3.7281) No. 21, Scottsdale Prep (3-4, minus 3.9674) No. 22, Trivium Prep (1-3, minus 5.0780) No. 23, and Miami (2-7, minus 5.1383) No. 24.
No. 12 Morenci – 6, No. 7 Pima – 5
Morenci baptized its recently completed playing surface with a come-from-behind win. Trailing 3-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the outcome came down to the Wildcats’ final plate appearance. A strikeout by the No. 9 batter resulted after a 2-2 count and the ensuing 23 pitches numbered six strikes and 17 balls.
Morenci lead-off batter Emilio Roybal walked on a full count, Christopher Lopez walked on a 0-3 pitch, Anthony Ballesteros walked on a full count, Austyn Porter was grazed on a 1-0 pitch to drive in Roybal (4-5), Lopez crossed the plate on a passed ball to tie 5-5, Christopher Carbajal was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Basteen walked on a 1-3 pitch to drive in Ballesteros. Game over. The final score favored the home team 6-5.
“Never give up,” Coach Aguallo said during the post-game review. “You have to believe in yourselves and each other.”
Pima jumped out to a 2-run advantage with its initial three batters, senior centerfielder Devon Hewitt (22) drew a full-count walk and scored on a passed ball; senior shortstop R.J. Morales (00) singled on, stole second, and was driven in on junior catcher Jeremiah Martinez’ (12) sacrifice fly; and two of the next three batters struck out.
Morenci went three up and three down, Pima followed suit, and Morenci sent four batters up with one reaching on a fielding error before the third out was recorded.
Top of the order Hewitt singled on, stole second and scored (3-0) on an outfield error but three of the next four batters recorded an out; Roybal reached first on a 2-out outfield error and the next batter struck out; senior right fielder Jaxon John (1) singled on, a 2-out outfield error for Hewitt allowed both to score (5-0), and a ground out ended the Roughrider scoring.
Ballesteros singled on in the fourth, but courtesy runner Jaymz Guzzo was forced out at second on Porter’s fielders’ choice, Carbajal doubled in Porter (1-5), and the next two batters struck out.
Pima and Morenci went three up and three down in the fifth; Pima repeated its’ fifth inning plate appearance in the sixth; and Morenci added two runs with one out, a walked Carbajal (2-5) was tripled in by Porter who scored (3-5) on a passed ball, and a pair of ground out were recorded by two of the next four batters in the bottom of the frame.
For the game, Morenci batted .208 (5-24), stranded eight runners, and committed six errors compared to .115 (3-26), four left on base, and one error by Pima. Morenci posted an .800 (21-3-6) fielding average versus .950 (19-0-1) for Pima.
Ballesteros batted 1.000 (2-2), Carbajal (RBI, double), Porter (2 RBIs, triple), and Seballos .333 (1-3) apiece, and Basteen 0-2 (RBI).
On the mound, Ballesteros struck out five, walked two, beaned one, and allowed two hits and one earned run while facing 30 batters during six innings. Reliever Figueroa struck out one while facing three batters during one inning.
For Pima, Morales batted .500 (2-4), both Hewitt and John .333 (1-3), and Martinez 0-3 (sac., RBI).
On the mound, junior Preston Russell struck out six, walked two, and yielded five hits and one earned run while facing 22 batters during 5 1/3 innings. Long reliever Morales walked one and yielded a hit while facing four batters during 2/3 innings; short senior reliever Riley Alder struck out one while facing four batters during 1/3 inning; and closer Hewitt walked two and beaned one while facing three batters.
