Holbrook started last week with a loss to Blue Ridge, then bounced back with critical wins over Show Low and Page over the weekend.
Tuesday’s game in Blue Ridge was scoreless through the first two innings before the Jackets posted 2 runs in the third, then added 3 in each the fourth and fifth innings to lead 8-0. Holbrook managed just 1 run in the top of the seventh before losing 8-1.
The Roadrunners scattered 9 hits in the loss. Baler Reidhead went 2 for 4. Stefan Trjujillo was 2 for 3. Niko Espitia went 1 for 3 with a double. Ben Eisele was 1 for 3. Hayden Eisele went 1 for 2. Troy Francis went 1 for 3, and Justin Maestas went 1 for 4.
Lukai Frenette worked four innings on the hill, giving up 5 runs on four hits with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks. Maestas pitched two frames, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits with a pair of strikeouts and 2 walks.
Hosting Show Low on Friday afternoon, the Roadrunner and Cougars put together a close, well-played game by both teams. Holbrook scored once in the bottom of the first, then neither team scored again until Show Low took the lead with 2 runs in the top of the fifth. Holbrook battled back, taking a 1-run lead with 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth. Neither team scored in the seventh, leaving Holbrook with a 3-2 east region win.
Holbrook had just 4 hits in the game but made them count. Ty Larson went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs. Maestas was 1 for 3, and Ben Eisele went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs and also scored a run.
Reidhead pitched all seven innings. He gave up just 2 runs on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts and walked 2 Cougar batters.
Holbrook carried the momentum from Friday’s win all the way to Page on Saturday, where they handled the Sand Devils 15-8 in a come-from-behind win. Page led 7-1 through three innings, but Holbrook battled back to take the lead with 7 runs in the top of the fourth. Page tied the game at 8-8 with a single run in the fourth. Holbrook then took the lead for good with 2 in the sixth and put the game out of reach with 5 runs in the top of the seventh, securing the 15-8 road win.
Holbrook is now 6-5 in regular-season games, and they are 10-11 overall. They were ranked 26th in the 3A rankings prior to the wins on Friday and Saturday. If they can climb into the top 24 in the final rankings, they would qualify for a postseason play-in game.
This week, they will host St. Johns on Monday. Tuesday, Holbrook will welcome No. 5 Blue Ridge. On Friday, No. 28 Winslow comes to the Roadrunner field. Next Tuesday, Holbrook will play at Show Low.
