The Roadrunners entered this week with a 7-4 overall record after splitting two games played last week. Playing in St. Johns on a terrible weather day on Monday, Holbrook prevailed in a high-scoring game.
The Birds opened east region play on Thursday at home, with a tough 9-6 loss to Show Low.
The St. Johns’ game was a back-and-forth affair until the Birds rallied for the comeback win. Following a single Holbrook run to start the game, St. Johns scored seven runs in the bottom of the second. Holbrook answered with a run in the third, then forged ahead by a run after scoring six in the top of the fourth. The hometown Redskins tied the game at 8-8 with a lone run in the fourth. Both teams scored three runs in the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Holbrook moved in front for good with seven runs. St. Johns scored once in the bottom of the seventh, leaving Holbrook with an 18-12 road win.
The Roadrunners pounded out 20 hits in the win led by sophomore Niko Espitia who went 4 for 4, with a triple, and five RBI. Isaac Martinez was 3 for 5, with a triple; Hunter Love, 3 for 4; Kyle Smith, 2 for 5; Heston Reidhead, 2 for 4, with a triple; Izzy Ramos went 2 for 5, with a double; Marcus Oberriter, 1 for 3; Conner Winn, 1 for 4; and Bryson Autobee, 2 for 4. Reidhead and Smith each had two stolen bases.
Smith pitched 3.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits, with a walk and two strikeouts. Winn pitched 2.2 innings, allowing six runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Ramos pitched one inning giving up two runs with four walks and three strikeouts.
Hosting Show Low in better weather on Thursday Holbrook played their region foe tough. Both teams scored three runs in the first frame. Show Low took a one-run lead in the fourth only to see Holbrook rally back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to lead 6-4. Show Low came right back, taking the lead for good with five runs in the top of the sixth. Holbrook failed to score in the sixth or seventh, falling by a final of 6-9.
Espitia went 2 for 2, with a double; Ramos, 2 for 4; Martinez, 1 for 4; and Reidhead, 1 for 3.
Smith pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. Winn pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing four runs on two hits. Ramos pitched one inning giving up just one hit.
Holbrook enters this week with a regular season mark of 5-3. Holbrook will play at Winslow on Tuesday, then will compete in the three-day Epic Tourneys Baseball Classic beginning on Thursday. Next week they return to regional play with home games vs Blue Ridge on Thursday, and Snowflake on Friday.
