Birds Take Third In Regional, Head For State Tournament

By Greg Perkins
   The Holbrook Roadrunners placed third in the 3A North region baseball tournament over the weekend with a first round loss to Winslow, followed by a 10-run rule win over Monument Valley in the game for third and fourth.
   Friday’s game played in Winslow was close throughout. Holbrook was consistent through the first three innings, scoring one run in each. That total was enough to match the three-run output by the Bulldogs in the bottom of the first. Winslow went ahead again with a run in the third inning, then with the help of some Holbrook mistakes and some timely hits, was able to move on top of Holbrook with three runs in the bot-tom of the fifth inning. Those runs came after Holbrook had taken the lead with two runs in the top of the inning. Winslow advanced to the title game with a 7-5 win.
   “This game could have gone either way. They were able to get key hits when they needed them and we hit the ball well except for the final two innings,” said Coach Shawn Layden.
   Victor Paz and Marcus Castillo both went two for four at the plate. Adrian Perkins went one for two with an RBI. Jared Hatch was one for three with a double and an RBI. Cooper Reidhead was one for four with an RBI. Brian Hansen went one for four and scored a run.
   Holbrook scored five runs on eight hits, made three errors and left eight on base. Winslow picked up seven runs on 12 hits, made four errors and left seven on base.
Holbrook               111 020 0 5
Winslow               301 030 x 7
   Playing for third and fourth against the Mustangs on Saturday, the Roadrunners worked themselves out of a second inning jam, then cruised to the 12-1 win in five innings. The Birds scored two runs in the bot-tom of the second to take the early lead, but in the top of the third they gave up a double, then let a pop fly drop between two players to load the bases. Pitcher Ryan Slade then mowed down the seven, eight and nine hitters, all with strike outs, to get the Birds out of the inning without giving up a run. In the bottom of the sixth Holbrook exploded with six runs and really put the game out of reach. A run in the fourth and a two-run single by Hatch in the bottom of the fifth ended the game under the mercy rule.
   Everyone in Holbrook’s lineup got a hit. Adriel Aguilera was perfect at two for two, as were Hansen and Perkins, who each went one for one. Hatch went two for three. Castillo went two for four, as did Paz. Gabi Aguilera was one for two. Tyrell Sulu, Nic Salazar and Reidhead each went one for three.
Monument Vly    000 01         1
Holbrook             026 13       12
   With the win the Roadrunners have earned a berth in the state tournament, scheduled on Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3, at the Surprise Baseball Complex in Surprise.