Wildcats, Cowgirls clash in Willcox on Thursday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Joseph Garcia -coached Morenci Wildcats (8-4 overall, 3-1 seeding, 0-0 region) host two opponents this week, Tombstone (8-9, 1-4, 0-0) for a 4 p.m. region start on Monday, March 23 and 3A South Region Vail Empire (11-4, 5-0, 0-0) on Wednesday, March 25 for a 6 p.m. The Wildcats head to Willcox (12-4, 5-1, 0-0) for a 4 p.m. region start on Thursday, March 26.
Willcox hosts San Miguel for a region pairing on March 23 with a 5:45 p.m. start.
This week (March 23-28):
This week in the 2A South Region, Morenci hosts Tombstone, Willcox visits San Miguel, Saint Augustine hosts 4A Kino Region Tucson Sahuaro, Bisbee visits Desert Christian, and Benson hosts 1A South Region Elfrida Valley Union on March 23; Saint Augustine hosts 1A East Region Sells Baboquivari and Tombstone visits Benson on Tuesday, March 24; Morenci hosts Vail Empire and Willcox hosts 3A South Region Tucson Tanque Verde on March 25; Morenci visits Willcox, Saint Augustine hosts 2A East Region Chandler Prep, Tombstone visits Bisbee, and Benson visits San Miguel on March 26; Saint Augustine visits 3A Independent Tucson Palo Verde Magnet and Desert Christian visits 2A Valley Region Phoenix Horizon Honors on Friday, March 27; and Tombstone hosts 2A North Region Eagar Round Valley and San Miguel visits 2A Central Region Phoenix Christian on Saturday, March 28.
The 2A East Region member pairings include Miami visiting 2A Valley Region Arizona Lutheran and Gilbert Classical visiting 2A Valley Region Eloy Santa Cruz on March 23; Miami visiting 2A West Region Glendale Prep and Pima visiting 3A Independent Mesa American Leadership – Mesa North on March 25; Miami hosting 3A Central Region Globe and San Carlos visiting Arizona Lutheran on March 25; Chandler Prep visiting 2A South Saint Augustine and San Carlos hosting 1A East Region Fort Thomas on March 26; and Miami hosting Gilbert Classical and Chandler Prep hosting Pima on March 27.
Tombstone Yellow Jackets (8-9 overall)
Morenci (8-9 overall, 1-4 seeding, 0-0 region) is averaging an 8-6 (132-94) score per game or a 2-run margin through 17 games.
The Jim True-coached Yellow Jackets have a seeding win over San Miguel (25-5 in 5 inn, Feb. 25) along with losses to Willcox (0-13 in 6 inn, March 3), Thatcher (6-7, March 9), Saint David (5-6, March 10), and Empire (9-10, March 17).
Additionally, the Yellow Jackets went 2-3 during the 2-day Canyon del Oro tourney and 5-2 during the 2-day Payson tourney. The wins were over Texas El Paso Young Womens Steam Prep (10-0 in 6 inn, Feb. 26), Gilbert Higley (10-7 in 4 inn, March 21), Thatcher (8-1, March 20), Tucson Pusch Ridge (7-0, March 21), Benson (4-0, March 21), Heber Mogollon (15-1, March 21), and Globe (13-1, March 21). The losses were to Vail Mica Mountain (1-9, Feb. 26), Sierra Vista Buena (9-11 in 6 inn, Feb. 26), Canyon del Oro (1-11 in 5 inn, Feb. 27), and Phoenix Saint Mary’s (9-12 in 4 inn, March 20).
A 12-member roster has a senior, six juniors, a sophomore, and four freshmen. The senior is Liliana Garcia (27); juniors Hayden Dobbins (4), Bria Gross (14), Bella Lopez (10), Vanessa Lopez (5), McKenzy Nicoll (16), and Violet Schmidt (99); sophomore Arabella Alvarez (32); and freshmen Aerith Kammeyer (15), Alyssa Serrano (12), Olivia Villalobos (42), and Jayden Walters (9).
Tombstone is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Morenci Wildcats, the Willcox Cowgirls, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
Empire Ravens (11-4 overall)
Empire (11-4 overall, 5-0 seeding, 0-0 region) is averaging a 10-4 (157-59) score per game or a 6-run margin through 15 games.
The Shannon Woolridge-coached Ravens have seeding wins over Coolidge (13-1 in 5 inn, March 3), Florence (19-2 in 4 inn, March 10), Sahuarita Walden Grove (9-4, March 12), Willcox (1-0, March 13), and Tombstone (10-9, March 17).
Additionally, the Ravens went 3-3 during the 3-day Canyon del Oro tourney and 3-1 during the 2-day Horizon Honors tourney. The wins were over Kingman Lee Williams (10-0 in 4 inn, March 6), Snowflake (16-2 in 3 inn, March 6), Kingman Academy (13-3 in 3 inn, March 7), Mesa (21-0 in 3 inn, March 19), Saint Johns (13-1 in 5 inn, March 19), and Willcox (22-7 in 4 inn, March 20). The losses were to Sahuarita (5-8 in 5 inn, March 6), Buckeye Verado (6-7 in 4 inn, March 20), Sahuarita (1-4 in 6 inn, March 7), and Horizon Honors 8-11 in 6 inn, March 20).
A 17-member roster has two seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and seven freshmen. The seniors are Ahna Dhaliwal (22) and Brielle Martin (55); juniors Gabrianna Brooks (2), Nya Burton (00), Mia Garcia (7), and Mila Rios-Encinas (14); sophomore Vanessa Grijalva (4), Lainey Kroeger (1), Darby Smalligan (99), and Kapri Tiggas (20); and freshmen Brooke Allison (33), Cazlynn Darling (11), Madelyn Hand (23), Addison Heitholt (19), Melanie Livingood (28), Ava Norton (6), and Analiese Xay-Ananh (96).
Coolidge is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region, the Safford Bulldogs, the Thatcher Eagles, along with the Tucson schools, Catalina Trojans, Palo Verde Magnet Titans, Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, Sabino Sabercats, and Tanque Verde Hawks.
Willcox Cowgirls (12-4 overall)
Willcox (12-4 overall, 5-1 seeding, 0-0 region) is averaging a 10-4 (158-56) score per game or a 6-run margin through 16 games.
The Trevor Ward-coached Cowgirls have seeding wins over Tombstone (13-0 in 6 inn, March 3), Pusch Ridge (8-1, March 6), Eloy Santa Cruz (12-6, March 12), Bisbee (18-2 in 5 inn, March 13) and Safford (11-0 in 6 inn, March 17) along with a loss to Empire (0-1, March 13).
Additionally, the Cowgirls went 5-1 during the 3-day Canyon del Oro tourney and 2-2 during the 2-day Horizon Honors tourney. The wins were over Tucson Sabino (15-1 in 5 inn, Feb. 26), Mesa Eastmark (19-2 in 5 inn, Feb. 26), Winslow (19-4 in 5 inn, Feb. 26), Sahuarita Walden Grove (3-2 in 8 inn, Feb. 27), Eastmark (10-0 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), Goodyear Desert Edge (9-1, March 19), and San Tan Valley Poston Butte (10-0 in 6 inn, March 19). The losses were to Tucson Magnet (0-9, Feb. 27), Laveen Heritage (4-5 in 8 inn, March 20), and Empire (7-22 in 4 inn, March 20).
A 15-member roster has a senior, two juniors, five sophomores, and seven freshmen. The senior is Payton Fuentes (17); juniors Gloria Encinas (8) and Lilyana Milenaar (10; sophomores Annel Arredando (4), Jaqueline Ramirez (28), Karlie Saint Clair (5), Janelle Vandermeulen (1), and Sophia Villa (21); and freshmen Lauren Bennett (27), Emma Cosand (13), Shelby Hestand (0), Hattie Macumber (98), Iza Pando (9), Lia Villa (22), and Lilly Williams (15).
Willcox is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Morenci Wildcats, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
Morenci Wildcats (8-4 overall)
Morenci (8-4 overall, 3-1 seeding, 0-0 region) is averaging an 11-6 (137-76) score per game or a 5-run Margin through 12 games.
The Joseph Garcia-coached Wildcats have seeding wins over Miami (9-4, March 4), Pima (14-0 in 5 inn, March 11), and Bisbee (18-3 in 5 inn, March 13), along with a loss to Saint Johns (4-5 in 8 inn, March 17).
Additionally, the Wildcats went 1-3 during the 3-day Benjamin Franklin tourney and 4-0 during the 2-day Horizon Honors tourney. The wins were over Kearny Ray (15-9 in 4 inn, Feb. 26), North Phoenix (20-2 in 3 inn, March 19), Kayenta Monument Valley (17-13 in 4 inn, March 19), Parker (14-6 in 4 inn, March 20), and Winkelman Hayden (10-2 in 5 inn, March 20). The losses were to Snowflake (9-11 in 4 inn, Feb. 26), Queen Creek Crismon (6-10 in 4 inn, Feb. 26), and Douglas (1-11 in 4 inn, Feb. 28).
A 14-member roster has two seniors, five juniors, three sophomores, and four freshmen. The seniors are Jaliyah Hernandez (14), and Shaylee Wichmann (13); juniors Tiara Jones (15), Kieralyn Madrigal (6), Malina Martinez (3), Mayeli Salazar (5), and Kailee Sandoval (8); sophomores Ava Basteen (2), Khloee Kouts (11), and Leiah Strong (17); and freshmen Sophia Araiza (10), Angelina Chavez (9), Lyla Ferrell (16), and Allison Redhouse (4).
Morenci is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, the Willcox Cowboys, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A South Region Standings
The South Region standings on March 21 had Morenci (4-4* overall, 3-1 seeding, 1-0 region), Willcox (12-4, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (2-1, 2-1, 0-0), Tombstone (8-9, 1-4, 0-0), Bisbee (6-3, 2-3, 0-1), Benson (1-13, 1-4, 0-0), Tucson San Miguel Catholic (1-5, 2-3, 0-0), Tucson Desert Christian (1-2, 1-2, 0-0), and Tucson Santa Rita (0-1, 0-1, 0-0).
Region pairing results to date include Morenci over Bisbee (18-3 in 5 inn, March 13).
2A East Region Standings
The East Region standings on March 21 had Miami (*3-3 overall, 3-3 seeding, 0-0 region), Chandler Prep (*1-3, 1-3, 0-0), San Carlos (0-4, 0-4, 0-0), Pima (8-4, 2-1, 0-0), and Gilbert Classical (0-4, 0-4, 0-0),
*Miami, Chandler Prep, San Carlos, and Pima participated in the Horizon Honors tourney on March 19-21.
Saint Johns – 5, Morenci – 4 (8 inn, March 17)
Trailing 2-3 after six innings, the visiting Redskins tied the score with an unearned run as junior Lucy Sundall reached first on a strikeout, advanced to second on a passed ball, and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly.
Saint Johns added two runs in the top of the eighth. Junior Bellamia Nelson singled on, senior Kasey Tsinajinnie singled on and both advanced on a fielding error, and scored on a 2-out fielding error. The third out was made before a sixth batter stepped to the plate.
A 2-out seventh inning Morenci junior Tiara Jones double got runners on second and third, but a strikeout stranded them. Juniors Mayeli Salazar doubled in the bottom of the eighth, and Malina Martinez singled her in with one out. A strikeout and a flyout left Martinez on as the game ended.
The Wildcats batted .273 (9-33), stranded seven runners, and made three errors compared to .281 (9-32), six runners left on, and four errors by Saint Johns.
Senior Jaliyah Hernandez (RBI) and Mayeli Salazar both batted .667 (2-3), Jones (double) and sophomore Ava Basteen both .500 (2-4), and Martinez (RBI) .333 (1-3).
In the circle, Jones struck out one, walked two, beaned two, and yielded nine hits while facing 36 batters during eight innings.
For Saint Johns, Nelson batted 1.000 (4-4, RBI, 2 doubles), Kasey Tsinajinnie 2-4 (double), and Sundall (2 RBIs) both .500 (2-4), and senior Evanna Richardson .333 (1-3, RBI).
In the circle, junior Maizy Pulsipher struck out 10, walked two, beaned two, and allowed nine hits while facing 32 batters during eight innings.
Morenci – 18, Bisbee – 4 (5 inn, March 13)
Morenci broke a scoreless contest in the second inning from the bottom of the batting order and never relinquished the lead. Martinez and Strong drew walks, and number nine batter sophomore Khloee Kouts doubled both in. Kouts crossed the plate on a passed ball before the third out was recorded.
The Wildcats added six third-inning runs along with nine fourth-inning runs before the Pumas scored in the top of the fifth. A walk, a stolen base, and a passed ball put Bourbon on third to score by a teammate’s sacrifice fly. Miranda and Hernandez singled and crossed the plate on fielding errors.
In the afternoon, Morenci batted .435 (10-23), stranded seven runners, and committed five errors, while Bisbee batted .300 (6-20), left six runners on, and made two errors.
Martinez batted 1.000 (1-1, 3 RBIs), senior Shaylee Wickmann (RBI), Basteen (double), and sophomore Khloee Kouts (double, 3 RBIs) each .667 (2-3), Hernandez (double) and sophomore Leiah Strong (RBI) both .500 (1-2), junior Kieralyn Madrigal .250 (1-4, home run, 3 RBIs) and Jones 0-3 (RBI)
In the circle, Jones struck out one, walked three, beaned one, and allowed six hits while facing 24 batters during five innings.
For Bisbee, 10-Lopez .667 (2-3, RBI), 13-Ballesteros and 8-Borquez .500 (1-2) apiece, and Miranda and Hernandez both .333 (1-3).
In the circle, Rodriguez and Ballesteros combined for two strikeouts, 13 walks, a beaned batter, and yielded 10 hits while facing 32 batters during four innings.
