By Greg Perkins Holbrook played three region games last week but came up short in all three contests. Playing in Snowflake on Tuesday the Lady Roadrunners held a brief lead at 3-2 after scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. That lead didn’t last long with Snowflake matching those three runs in the second taking a 5-3 lead. The Lobos went on to score four in the fourth, three in the fifth, and one final run in the bottom of the sixth to end the game 13-3. Holbrook had five hits led by Elizabeth Paschal’s double. Natalie Patterson, Ashley Spears, Lorna Spencer and Sarah Slim all had one hit in the loss. Holbrook had a tough fielding day with eight errors, which Snowflake took full advantage of. Tiffani Tyler worked six innings in the circle, giving up 13 runs on 11 hits with four walks and she struck out three Lobo batters. Hosting Snowflake the following day, the Roadrunners managed just three hits off Lobo ace Anna Berger. Macy Moore, Lorna Spencer and Natalie Patterson each had singles in the 9-2 loss. Riley Reidhead and Madison Moore scored the two Holbrook runs. Freshman Natalie Patterson pitched all seven innings giving up nine runs on 12 hits, with five walks and four strikeouts. With the two Snowflake games behind them, Holbrook played host to Show Low on Friday. This game was a battle that went down to the final inning before Holbrook’s late-game rally came up just short in a 4-5 loss to the Cougars. After Show Low had a solo home run to lead off the game, Holbrook came right back with two runs in the bottom of the second taking the lead 2-1. Show Low tied the game in the top of the third, then went ahead by two in the fifth following another home run shot. The Cougars tacked on one insurance run in the top of the seventh and it was insurance they needed as Holbrook came within one batter of tying the game. Holbrook pounded out 14 hits in the loss. Madison Moore was 2 for 5 with a double; Sarah Slim, 2 for 4 also with a double; Natalie Patterson, 2 for 4; Talyssa Larson, 2 for 4; Ashley Speers, 2 for 4; Elizabeth Paschal was 1 for 4, as was Riley Reidhead. Tiffani Tyler worked all seven innings in the circle giving up five runs on 10 hits, with three strikeouts. That close loss, along with the two earlier in the week to the Lobos left Holbrook with a 1-8 record heading into this week’s action. With only 16 teams making the state tournament this year the Lady Roadrunners need to pick up some wins. They entered Friday’s game with Show Low ranked 25th in the 3A rankings. They should have some favorable matchups in the coming weeks. After playing in Show Low on Tuesday of this week, they will be in Alchesay on Friday. Saturday they host Round Valley in a varsity doubleheader. Then next Tuesday they will host Alchesay. Following their second Alchesay game, the 1-8 Lady Roadrunners will have just four games left in the regular season. They may need to win at least half of their remaining games to have a chance for post-season play depending on what other teams do down the stretch.
