The Roadrunners started the baseball season on the right foot with a 10-0 shut out win over visiting Chinle on Wednesday of last week. Holbrook scored twice in each of the first and second innings then really opened the game up with four runs in the third. Their final two runs came in the sixth where they ended the game under the 10 run rule.
The team finished with 12 hits and made three errors. Cole McDaniel went 2 for 4 scoring once. Gabe Gabaldon was 2 for 4, with a double and two RBIs. Justin Perkins went 2 for 3 including two doubles, an RBI and he scored twice. Jalen Nez was 1 for 3 and scored once. Frankie Ulibarri went 1 for 4 with a triple, an RBI and scored once. Michael Queiruga was 1 for 2 and scored twice. Gabe Santibanez went 1 for 1. Brady Buckley was 1 for 2 with an RBI and scored once. Zach Reyes went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and also scored once. Ryan Short drew one walk and later scored a run.
Perkins started the game on the hill working three innings for the win. He faced 13 Wildcat batters without giving up a hit and had six strikeouts. Jalen Nez worked the final three innings joining Perkins in not allowing a hit against the 11 batters he faced. Nez did have one walk and struck out six.
Last year Holbrook earned the number one overall seed in the state tournament but they were upset in the first round by the 16 seed. This season sees nine seniors on the roster including, Cole McDaniel, Ryan Short, Gabe Gabaldon, Justin Perkins, Zach Reyes, Jalen Nez, Frankie Ulibarri and Michael Queiruga. Juniors include, Brett Buckley, Brady Buckley and Finn Kinghorn along with sophomores, Patrick Carpenter, Adrian Aguilera and Gabe Baker. The Roadrunners have a good chance for another high seed in the state tournament. They also have a new head coach with Kendall Bakurza taking over the reins of the program.
Holbrook will face the Wildcats again on Wednesday, this time in Chinle. They will open east region play at Payson on Thursday, then will host Window Rock on Saturday.
