Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Head coach Joseph Garcia congratulates Cameryn Woodall (3) as she rounds third base. The Morenci junior dispatched a 0-1 pitch over the fence to score two runs as the third batter against Horizon Honors. Morenci edged the Eagles 8-7 on April 17. The Wildcats host Benson on Friday, April 19, and visit Pima on Monday, April 22.
Morenci swaps rankings with Horizon Honors
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Joseph Garcia-coached No. 4 Morenci Wildcats face No. 15 Benson on Friday, April 19, and No. 28 Pima for a doubleheader on Monday, April 22.
Morenci has a 13-3 (5 inn) region win in Benson (March 25).
In non-region games this week (April 15-20), Pima visits Tucson Catalina on April 19.
Results of games played this week are Horizon Honors defeated Saint Augustine Catholic 19-1 (4 inn) in Tucson while Morenci split a double-header with Tombstone, winning 13-5 and losing 12-22 (5 inn), and Willcox defeated Pima 24-9 (4 inn) on April 16; Willcox defeated Bisbee 12-9, Globe defeated Pima 16-9, and Santa Cruz defeated Benson 15-4 in four innings on April 17; and Tombstone defeated Benson 13-11, Bisbee defeated Saint Augustine 15-0, and Thatcher defeated Pima 19-0 on April 18.
Remaining region games include Pima at Morenci for a double-header and Tombstone at Bisbee on Monday, April 22.
The non-region game left is Willcox at Saint Augustine on April 22.
No. 15 Benson Bobcats (5-16 overall)
The Eric Tatham-coached No. 14 Bobcats (5-16 overall, 4-12 seeding, 3-6 region) are averaging an 8-12 (165-247) score per game or a 4-run deficit through 21 games.
Benson has seeding wins over Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (24-2 in 4 inn, March 2), Bisbee (11-0 in 5 inn, March 5), Pima (12-2 in 5 inn, March 8), and Pima (21-6 in 6 inn, April 5). The losses are to Tucson Empire (0-19 in 4 inn, March 20), Willcox (5-13, March 23), Morenci (3-13 in 5 inn, March 25), Eagar Round Valley (4-11, March 27), Tombstone (13-28 in 5 inn, March 28), Bisbee (13-15, April 2), Willcox (16-19, April 8), Phoenix Horizon Honors (10-11, April 10), Safford (1-11 in 6 inn, April 11), Eloy Santa Cruz (4-15 in 5 inn, April 17), and Tombstone (11-13, April 18).
In addition, the Bobcats went 1-4 during the 3-day Tucson Canyon del Oro tourney on Feb. 22-24. The win was over Tucson Flowing Wells (10-4 in 4 inn, Feb. 22) while the losses were to Tucson Magnet (3-14 in 5 inn, Feb. 22), Texas El Paso Eastlake (1-13 in 4 inn, Feb. 22), Marana (0-11 in 5 inn, Feb. 23), and Tucson Tanque Verde (0-19 in 5 inn, Feb. 23).
Benson has a team batting average of .351 (176-501) with 122 of 160 runs batted in, 39 doubles, three triples, and 12 home runs. Additionally, the Bobcats struck out 135 times, were walked 77 times, and beaned 21 times.
In the circle, four Bobcats have a collective 8.52 earned run average, allowed 127 of 232 earned runs, 183 hits, a double, 12 home runs, 118 walks, and beaned 24. Opponents had a .363 (183-512) batting average and struck out 91 times while going up to the plate 654 times during 104 1/3 innings.
Benson has a 16-member roster, including seniors Riley Francione (1), Harley McCabe (4), and Nevaeh Trejo (12); juniors Akota Abbott (16), Rylee Deskins (9), Claire Parke (6), Mandy Watson (10), Kaylei Taylor (23), and Sadie Webb (2); sophomores Alyana Bosley (22), Coco Farrand (13), and Aubry Garner (3); and freshman Natalia Guzman (20), Millie Kellogg (14), Maddison Ogilvie (5), and Sierra Olson (18).
No. 28 Pima Roughriders (1-17 overall)
The Danny Olson-coached Roughriders (1-17 overall, 1-13 seeding, 0-8 region) are averaging a 6-14 (109-255) score per game or an 8-run deficit through 18 games.
Pima has a seeding win over Fort Thomas (21-11, April 11). The losses are to Tombstone (0-17 in 5 inn, March 5), Benson (2-12 in 5 inn, March 8), Winkelman Hayden (8-18 in 5 inn, March 11), Bisbee (5-11, March 13), Willcox (1-17 in 5 inn, March 27), Miami (8-9, March 28), Tombstone (3-13, April 2), Benson (6-21 in 6 inn, April 5), Bisbee (15-20, April 8), Phoenix Christian (1-22 in 4 inn, April 9), Willcox (9-24 in 4 inn, April 16), Globe (9-16, April 17), and Thatcher (0-19, April 18).
In addition, the Roughriders went 0-4 during the Chandler Prep tourney with losses to Phoenix Thunderbird (0-10 in 5 inn, Feb. 21), Kearny Ray (8-17 in 4 inn, Feb. 21), Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-8 in 5 inn, Feb. 22), and Saint Michael (6-9 in 6 inn, Feb. 22).
Pima has a team batting average of .353 (117-331) with 58 of 97 runs batted in, 21 doubles, one triple, and five home runs through April 11 (15) games played. Additionally, the Roughriders struck out 72 times, were walked 56 times, and beaned 10 times.
In the circle, a Roughriders trio had a collective 6.08 earned run average, allowed 66 of 203 earned runs, 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 66 walks. Opponents had a .178 (75-422) batting average and struck out 54 times while going up to the plate 500 times during 76 innings through April 11.
Pima has an 18-member roster, including seniors Alma H (20), Bentlee Hoops (1), Braylyn Gojkovich (3), Randi McEuen (5), and Tricia Moreno (11); juniors Lola Corti (15) and Ava Rhinehart (7); sophomores Riley Bodine (23), Page Derusha (25), Tatum Brinkerhoff (13), Zoey Brown (12), Ariana Cragun (14), Ana Montiel (8), Hope Perez (10), Birdie Smart (9), Maisy Strowd (18), and Bivi Vega (2); and freshman Rhilee John (6).
No. 4 Morenci Wildcats (17-5 overall)
The Joseph Garcia-coached Morenci Wildcats (17-5 overall, 12-2 seeding, 6-1 region) are averaging an 11-5 (250-105) score per game or a 6-run margin through 22 games.
Morenci has seeding wins over Miami (12-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 26), Willcox (11-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 29), Miami (16-0 in 4 inn, March 4), Santa Rita (22-0 in 4 inn, March 6), Bisbee (16-4 in 5 inn, March 8), San Carlos (28-0 in 4 inn, March 14), Willcox (14-9, March 18), Benson (13-3 in 5 inn, March 25), Bisbee (13-3 in 5 inn, April 5), Saint David (10-5, April 8), Tombstone (13-5, April 16), and Horizon Honors (8-7, April 17). The losses were to Eagar Round Valley (9-12, April 11) and Tombstone (12-22 in 5 inn, April 16).
Additionally, the Wildcats went a combined 5-3 during a pair of tourneys attended, 3-1 in the 3-day Queen Creek-held tourney and 2-2 in the 2-day Chandler Prep tourney. The wins were over Phoenix Northwest Christian (6-4 in 6 inn, Feb. 22), Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (19-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 23), Tuba City (15-0 in 3 inn, Feb. 24), Safford (2-0, March 21), and Saint Johns (11-9, March 22). The losses were to Phoenix Horizon Honors (0-9, Feb. 24), Mesa Dobson (0-6, March 21), and Joseph City (0-7, March 22).
Morenci has a .424 (247-582) batting average compared to .289 (108-472) for combined opponents. The Wildcats have driven in 209 of 248 (.834) runs, and notched 58 doubles, 16 triples, and 22 home runs while posting 137 strikeouts, 115 walks, and beaned 21 times.
A 4-person pitching corps has allowed an earned run average of 3.70 with 64 of 104 runs earned, yielded 25 doubles and 13 home runs, struck out 155, walked 56, and beaned 16 while facing 555 batters during 121 innings.
The Wildcats have a roster numbering 15, with seniors Alizabeth Aguilar (16), Kay’Leigh Blair (2), Celeis Bejarano (4), and Daviana Gallegos (5); juniors Yalitza Rios-Ortega (15), and Cameryn Woodall (3); sophomores Jaliyah Hernandez (14) and Shaylee Wichman (13); and freshmen Karol Escalona (10), Tiara Jones (11), Kieralyn Madrigal (6), Malina Martinez (7), Mayeli Salazar (12), Kailee Sandoval (8), and Janessa Webb (9).
2A East Region Standings
The 2A East Region standings at noon on April 18, were Morenci (16-5 overall, 11-2 seeding, 6-1 region) first, Willcox (11-12, 10-7, 7-3) second, Tombstone (14-9, 8-6, 5-3) third, Bisbee (5-9, 5-7, 4-5) fourth, Benson (5-16, 4-12, 3-6) fifth, and Pima (1-17, 1-13, 0-8) sixth.
Morenci (6-1) region wins over Willcox (11-0, Feb. 29), Santa Rita (22-0, March 6), Bisbee (16-4, March 8), Benson (13-3 in 5 inn, March 25), Bisbee (13-3, April 5), and Tombstone (13-5, April 16). The Joseph Garcia-coached Wildcats are averaging a 12-5 (242-98) score per game or a 7-run margin through 21 games.
Willcox (7-3) has region wins over Tombstone (14-11, March 21), Benson (13-5, March 23), Pima (17-1 in 5 inn, March 27), Bisbee (14-3 in 6 inn, March 28), Benson (19-16, April 8), Pima (24-9 in 4 inn, April 16), and Bisbee (12-9, April 17). The Trevor Ward-coached No. 8 Willcox Cowgirls (5-2) are averaging a 10-9 (239-217) score per game or a 1-run margin through 23 games.
Tombstone (5-3) has region wins over Pima (17-0, March 5), Benson (28-13 in 5 inn, March 28), Pima (13-3 in 5 inn, April 2), Willcox (16-8, April 5), and Morenci (12-22 in 5 inn, April 16). The James True-coached No. 10 Yellow Jackets are averaging a 10-6 (238-148) score per game or a 4-run margin through 23 games.
Bisbee (4-5) has region wins over Pima (11-5 in 8 inn, March 13), Tombstone (8-3, March 26), Benson (15-13, April 2), and Pima (20-15, April 8). The Melissa Wright-coached Pumas (3-3) are averaging a 7-10 (101-142) score per game or a 3-run deficit through 14 games.
Benson (3-5) has region wins over Bisbee (11-0, March 5), Pima (12-2, March 8), and Pima (21-6 in 6 inn, April 5). The Eric Tatham-coached No. 14 Bobcats are averaging an 8-12 (154-234) score per game or a 4-run deficit through 20 games.
The Danny Olson-coached No. 27 Pima Roughriders (0-8) a 6-15 (109-255) score per game or a 9-run deficit through 17 games.
2A State Rankings
The 2A Top 24 rankings for the 39 teams had, at noon on April 18, 5-5 (1.000) from the South, 4-4 (1.000) from the Central Region, 5-6 (.833) from the West Region, 4-6 (.667) from the East Region, 4-7 (.571) from the North Region, 1-2 (.500) from the Metro Region, and 1-3 (.333) from the Valley Region.
Eagar Round Valley (14-2 seeding, 16.4834 rating) was No. 1, Laveen Heritage (11-1, 15.8814) No. 2, Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-2, 11.7707) No. 3, Morenci (12-2, 11.5474) No. 4, Phoenix Horizon Honors (13-2, 9.9858) No. 5, Eloy Santa Cruz (12-5, 7.9659) No. 6, Phoenix Christian (10-4, 7.6390) No. 7, and Saint Johns (13-3, 7.2233) No. 8.
Willcox (10-7, 3.7756) was No. 9, Tombstone (8-6, 2.6484) No. 10, Kingman Academy (8-7, 2.2627) No. 11, Miami (10-7, minus 0.0420) No. 12, Chandler Prep (8-8, minus 1.0876) No. 13, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (4-8, minus 1.9235) No. 14, Benson (4-11, minus 2.8283) No. 15, and Tucson Saint Augustine (7-8, minus 3.3771) No. 16.
Flagstaff Northland Prep (4-6, minus 3.4269) was No. 17, Glendale Prep (7-8, minus 3.7978) No. 18, Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (7-10, minus 4.0583) No. 19, Sedona Red Rock (5-7, minus 6.9585) No. 20, Pinon (5-9, minus 7.2035) No. 21, Surprise Highland Prep (3-6, minus 7.5013) No. 22, Maricopa Sequoia Pathway (4-10, minus 8.5917) No. 23, and Many Farms (7-8, minus 8.6176) No. 24.
The initial 2A Top 24 rankings, released at noon on March 26, had 5-5 (1.000) from the South, 2-2 (1.00) from the Metro Region, 5-6 (.833) from the West Regions, 3-4 (.750) from the Central Region, 4-6 (.667) from the East Region, 4-7 (.571) from the North Region, and 1-3 (.333) from the Valley Region,
Morenci (8-0 seeding, 11.1512) was No. 1, Horizon Honors (5-0, 9.7497) No. 2, Heritage (7-1, 9.7431) No. 3, Round Valley (6-2, 6.7414) No. 4, Santa Cruz (4-2, 5.2235) No. 5, Mohave Accelerated (6-2, 4.7297) No. 6, Phoenix Christian (2-4, 3.8126) No. 7, and Saint Johns (3-3, 2.4165) No. 8.
Willcox (4-4, 1.3730) was No. 9, Benson (3-3, 0.5547) No. 10, Tombstone (3-3, minus 0.3348) No. 11, Red Rock (3-2, minus 0.9677) No. 12, Saint John Paul II (6-5, minus 1.1640) No. 13, Miami (4-6, minus 1.4334) No. 14, Kingman Academy (5-2, 4.0814) No. 15, and Highland Prep (3-3, minus 2.9940) No. 16.
Chandler Prep (3-5, minus 2.9985) was No. 17, Saint Augustine (3-5, minus 3.6897) No. 18, Madison Highland Prep (2-4, minus 4.7493) No. 19, Glendale Prep (3-5, minus 5.1677) No. 20, Many Farms (1-4, minus 5.4636) No. 21, Pinon (1-2, minus 5.5884) was No. 22, Arizona Lutheran (0-3, minus 6.0189) No. 23, and Sequoia Pathway (2-3, minus 6.6287) No. 24.
Morenci – 8, Horizon Honors – 7
The visiting Eagles sent five batters up during their initial plate appearance, grounding out, twice singling, grounding out, and flying out.
Morenci countered with eight batters. Kay’Leigh Blair had a lead-off single, followed by a fly out, a Cameryn Woodall 0-1 pitch home run (2-0), a Jaliyah Hernandez 0-1 pitch home run (3-0), a Tiara Jones walk, followed by a strikeout, a Mayeli Salazar single, and halted by another strikeout.
The Eagles went three up and three down before scoring a run in the third on a fielding error. Sophomore Nicole Topete singled on with two outs, advanced to second on a throwing error, and scored (3-1) on a fielding error. The fifth batter grounded out.
Morenci added three more in the third. Daviana Gallegos drew a one-out walk, and a strikeout followed as did walks for Shaylee Wichman and Malina Martinez. Blair drilled a first pitch into left field for a triple and the bases were cleared (6-1). Alizabeth Aguilar drew a walk and both runners were left on as the ensuing batter struck out.
The visitors scored once in the fourth with six batters, walked senior Alexa Villaverde, was followed by a flyout, junior Danica Gutierrez’ double, and senior Lola Hill singled in Villaverde (6-2) before a strikeout and fielder’s choice tagged Hill for the third out.
Morenci added its final two runs. Hernandez drew a full-count walk and Jones drilled the first pitch over the fence, driving them both in (8-2). Two strikeouts and a flyout followed.
Horizon Honors sent eight batters up in the fifth, scored with the first four, and left one on. Topete singled, sophomore Josie Barden reached first on a throwing error, sophomore Audriana Anglada doubled them both in (8-6), Villaverde reached first on a fielding error that allowed Anglada to score, sophomore Lindsey Johnson singled in Villaverde, and the ensuing three batters each recorded an out.
Morenci reached first on one-out a fielding error, followed by a groundout and fly out.
Barden tripled with two outs in the sixth, Anglada singled her in (8-7), and a fielder’s choice forced her out at second.
The Wildcats went three up and three down in the bottom of the frame, and the Eagles had runners on first and third with two outs. A 1-3 pitch was swung on and missed. Game over.
For the game, Morenci batted .308 (8-26), left seven runners on, and committed six errors compared to .314 (11-35), eight stranded runners, and one error by Horizon Honors.
Blair batted 1.000 (3-3, 3 RBIs, triple), Aguilar, Hernandez (RBI, home run), Jones (2 RBIs, home run), and Salazar .333 (1-3) apiece, and Woodall .125 (1-4, 2 RBIs, home run).
In the circle, Woodall allowed three of seven earned runs, struck out five, and walked one while facing 36 batters during seven innings.
For Horizon Honors, Anglada (RBI, double) and Barden (triple) both batted .750 (3-4), Topete .500 (2-4, double), and Gutierrez (double), Hill (RBI), and Johnson (RBI) .125 (1-4) apiece.
Anglada yielded five of eight earned runs, struck out 11, and walked seven while facing 33 batters during six innings.
The initial rankings on March 26 had Morenci No. 1 and Horizon Honors No. 2. A few days later, the rankings were reversed. Morenci met Tombstone on April 16 as the No. 3 team. Morenci hosted No. 4 Horizon Honors on April 17 as No. 5. Following the result of that contest, the Wildcats were ranked No. 4 and the Eagles No. 5.
Horizon Honors had a 9-0 tourney win over Morenci (Feb. 24), ended Morenci’s 2022 and 2023 seasons with wins of 7-3 and 8-6, respectively, and both teams had played in four regulation seeding games before meeting one another in Morenci.
The 4th annual Jaim’ee Rodriguez Memorial game ended with a 1-run win, 8-7 over No. 4 Horizon Honors. The game paid tribute to the late Class of 2019 grad who left her mark on the program. In the circle for the 18-9 team, she notched a 2.42 earned run average, struck out 143, walked 34, grazed two, allowed opponents a .228 (133-584) batting average, 23 doubles, three triples, and a lone home run. At the plate, Rodriguez batted .307 (23-75) with 29 RBIs, five doubles and five home runs. She also has six strikeouts, 18 walks, and grazed twice.
Tombstone – 22, Morenci – 12 (5 inn, Second Game)
Sixteen Yellow Jackets stepped to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, three walked and eight hit safely with a double plus three home runs, one was grazed, one reached first on a fielder’s choice, and 11 scored before three outs were recorded.
Although the Wildcats led 2-0 following their initial plate appearance and needed two more to get within one, 10-11, they could not tie or retake the lead thereafter and wound up being run-ruled as the guest on their home field.
Tombstone’s final three batters in the bottom of the fifth singled on, stole second, and reached third on a passed ball; walked and reached second on a passed ball; and dispatched a 1-3 pitch over the fence to clear the bases, end the game with a 10-run difference.
For the evening, Morenci batted .480 (12-25), stranded eight runners on base, and made four errors compared to .500 (15-30), five left on, and five errors by Tombstone. Morenci’s fielding average was .762 (12-4-5) versus .760 (15-4-6) for Tombstone.
Mayeli Salazar batted 1.000 (2-2, RBI), Daviana Gallegos .750 (3-4, RBI), Alizabeth Aguilar (3 RBIs, 2 doubles) and Jaliyah Hernandez (RBI) .500 (2-4) apiece, Kay’Leigh Blair (RBI) and Cameryn Woodall (2 RBIs, home run) both.333 (1-3), and Tiara Jones .125 (1-4).
In the circle, Jones allowed eight hits, walked three, and grazed one while facing 12 batters during 1/3 inning. Reliever Shaylee Wichman struck out five, allowed four hits, and walked three while facing 19 batters during 2 2/3 inning. Closer Hernandez yielded three hits, struck out three, and walked two while facing 8 batters during one inning.
For Tombstone, freshman Bria Gross batted 1.000 (4-4, 8 RBIs, 3 home runs), freshman Bella Lopez .750 (3-4, RBI, double), junior Briana True .667 (2-3, 2 RBIs), junior Kyla Gross (2-4, 4 RBIs, 2 home runs) and freshman McKenzy Nicoll (2 RBIs, double) both .500, sophomore Liliana Garcia (triple) and freshman Hayden Dobbins (2 RBIs, home run) both .333 (1-3), and sophomore Ella Hagenah .125 (1-4, 2 RBIs).
In the circle, Kyla Gross struck out one, walked four, and allowed 11 hits while facing 21 batters during 2 1/3 innings. Reliever Bria Gross struck out five, walked three, and yielded two hits while facing 14 batters during 2 2/3 innings.
Morenci – 13, Tombstone – 5 (First Game)
The visiting Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 3-0 advantage following their initial plate appearance, added a run in the third, and led 4-0 before the Wildcats thrice crossed the plate.
Consecutive fourth-inning singles by Daviana Gallegos, Mayeli Salazar, and Shaylee Wichman to load the bases was followed by a strikeout. Lead-off batter Kay’Leigh Blair doubled in Gallegos to tie 4-4 and Salazar to go ahead 5-4 for good. Alizabeth Aguilar singled in Wichman on a 0-3 pitch (6-4), Caneryn Woodall drew a full-count walk to load the bases, a fly out made it two outs, and Tiara Jones emptied the bases on a 2-1 pitch (9-4). The ensuing batter flew out to leave Jones on.
A one-out bases-loaded strikeout and ground out were posted by Tombstone while a strikeout, ground out, and fly out left a Morenci runner on in the fifth.
Tombstone scored a run on a one-out bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the sixth and grounded out to end the scoring. Morenci countered by adding four runs. Jones doubled in two (11-5) with one out, Gallegos doubled in Jones (12-5), Wichman singled on with two outs, and Martinez singled in Gallegos while Wichman was thrown out at third to end the scoring.
Morenci batted .500 (15-30), left four runners on, and made three errors compared to .355 (11=31), 12 stranded runners, and six errors by Tombstone.
Aguilar batted .750 (3-4, 5 RBIs, 2 doubles), Blair (RBI and Wichman (2 RBIs, double) both .667 (2-3), Gallegos (RBI, double), Jones (4 RBIs, double), Salazar (double), and Woodall .500 (2-4) apiece, and Martinez (1-3, RBI).
Woodall went the distance in the circle, striking out eight, walking five, yielding nine hits, and grazed one while facing 36 batters.
For Tombstone, Lopez and True (RBI) both batted .667 (2-3), Dobbins (2 RBIs) and Garcia both .500 (2-4), Kyla Gross (RBI) and Violet Schmidt both .333 (1-3), and Bria Gross .125 (1-4, RBI, triple).
In the circle, Kyla Gross struck out five, walked four, and allowed five hits while facing 21 batters during 3 1/3 innings. Reliever Bria Gross struck out five, walked one, and yielded five hits while facing 15 batters during 2 2/3 innings.
