The Holbrook Roadrunners earned the No. 1 seed in 3A baseball last week, courtesy of their 7-6 season win over the top ranked Longhorns on April 24 in Payson.
Holbrook got an early start in the game, scoring four first inning runs on just two hits. The Birds took advantage of some walks and a Payson error to grab the early lead.
In the top of the fourth, the Roadrunners tacked on two more runs to give Tristan Baldonado a nice margin to work with on the mound. The Holbrook ace held Payson scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when the Longhorns matched Holbrook with one run in the frame.
That single score in the sixth by the Birds gave them a six-run lead heading to the bottom of the seventh. Payson made things interesting by scoring five times in the bottom of the seventh and had a runner on base with two outs when the final batter popped up, leaving Holbrook with the 7-6 win and the top spot in the rankings.
Holbrook scored seven runs on nine hits and made four errors.
Payson scored six runs on 11 hits and made three errors.
Baldonado worked 52/3 innings, allowing no runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and walked four. Jalen Nez pitched the final inning and a third, giving up five runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
Holbrook was led at the plate by Cade Maestas, who went 3 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and scored once. Frankie Ulibarri was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and scored once. Cole McDaniel was 1 for 4 with an RBI and scored once. Nez went 1 for 3, scoring once. Baldonado was 1 for 4. Gabe Gabaldon went 0 for 1, but drew three walks and scored once. Ryan Short was 1 for 3, scoring once.
The Roadrunners will open against No. 16 Empire in the state tournament at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at the Surprise Sports Complex.
