Bulldogs Edge Birds, 5-4, To Earn 3A North Championship

By Sam Conner
and Greg Perkins
   The Winslow Bulldogs defeated the Holbrook Roadrunners 5-4 in a closely played, exciting baseball game for the 3A North Region Tournament Championship in Winslow Saturday. The game was played after the rededication of Vargas Stadium with Medal of Honor winner Col. Jay Vargas in attendance. Vargas was an exceptional baseball player and is still a very knowledgeable fan of the game.
   Holbrook scored in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Marcus Castillo singled went to second on a wild pitch. He scored on a single by Adrian Perkins.
   Winslow took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning on a walk, a double by Tommy Gomez and a single by Roman Guzman. The second run scored on a forced play when the Roadrunners failed to turn a potential double play.
   Holbrook moved back in front in the seesaw game 3-2 in the top of the third inning. Tilden Roberson and Castillo singled and scored on a double by Perkins.
   The Bulldogs plated three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-3 lead. Wendell Carter singled, went to second on an error and scored on Anthony Huerta’s single. Levi Smith singled, scoring Huerta. Jevon Estelle singled and Smith scored on a force play.
   Holbrook came back in the top of the fourth to cut the margin to 5-4 on singles by Joey Aguilera and Ryan Baldonado and an error.
   The key defensive plays of the game may have been in the top of the fourth inning when Winslow threw out a runner at third base on a grounder to shortstop and cut down a runner on a close play at the plate.
   Roman Guzman got the win with excellent relief work by Huerta. Guzman allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits while fanning five and walking none in four innings of work. Huerta worked three innings and allowed no runs on just two hits and a walk. He fanned three.
   Ilacian Johnson pitched brilliantly for Holbrook and took the tough loss. He allowed five runs on 10 hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
   For the Bulldogs Carter, Huerta and Estelle were each two for three at the plate. Chris Reyes was one for one with a double. Smith was one for two. Gomez and Guzman were each one for three.
   The Roadrunners had nine hits led by Perkins with three for four, including a double. Castillo was two for four. Joey Aguilera was one for two. Baldonado and Roberson were each one for three, and Austin Lozano was one for four.
   Holbrook faced Monument Valley on Friday afternoon to see who would take on Winslow in the championship game.
   The Roadrunners quickly showed the Mustangs who deserved to face the Bulldogs, as the Birds pushed in six runs in the first inning, capped by a two run blast by Joey Aguilera.
   Holbrook added nine more runs in the second and kept Monument Valley away from home plate until the fifth inning when the Mustangs scored their only run in the 15-1 Holbrook win.
    The Roadrunners pounded out 12 hits, made three errors and left four on base. Brian Hansen and Castillo were each two for three with an RBI and two runs scored. Lozano was two for two with a pair of RBIs. Gabi Aguilera and Cooper Reidhead were each two for three with two RBIs. Joey Aguilera was two for two with a home run in the bottom of the first.
Monument Valley 000 01   1
Holbrook         690 0x 15   The Bulldogs will play a team to be named later at Surprise at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, in the first round of the Arizona State 3A Conference Championship Tournament. The Roadrunners will also play on Friday, but the game time had not been set by press time.