Holbrook’s Lady Roadrunners found themselves in a tough pool at the Payson Tournament over the weekend, and suffered losses to Estrella Foothills, Benson and Snowflake. Facing all three opponents on Friday Holbrook struggled with the bats, collecting only 10 hits total in the three games.
Against Estrella Foothills, Erin Aragon, Aaren Billie and Tess Baldonado each had one hit in the 2-0 loss. Janecia Nez pitched four innings, giving up two runs, just one earned, on four hits with one strikeout.
In the pitcher’s duel Esrella scored once in the first and added another in the third, but that was all either team could manage.
Facing Benson, which is traditionally a very tough team, the Lady Roadrunners fell 12-0 in just three innings. Aragon and Shantina Kinlicheenie were the only two to get a hit in the game for Holbrook. Kellin Bakurza took the loss in the circle, giving up 12 runs, 10 of them earned, on 10 hits without a strikeout or a walk. Benson scored 10 runs in the first inning to easily take control of the game.
Facing Snowflake in their final pool game, the Lady Birds fell behind 10-0 through three innings before scoring three in the third frame. Aragon tripled and Baldonado hit a double to lead the way at the plate. Billie, Bakurza and Nez each hit singles in the loss. Baldonado, who is a freshman, pitched four innings, facing 32 batters. She gave up 15 runs, only 13 earned, on 13 hits and walked three with no strikeouts.
The Lady Roadrunners opened bracket play on Saturday morning and played well, picking up their only win of the tournament over Buckeye, 9-8. Holbrook trailed twice in the game, but in each case the squad came back with big innings to take the lead. In the sixth the Lady Birds were down 8-6, but scored three runs in the frame to complete the comeback win, 9-8. Baldonado, Nez, Jessica Paz and Terra Hooker each had two hits. Billie, Bakurza and Sheriesse Thomas each had one hit. Bakurza picked up the win in the circle. She worked five innings, giving up six runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and seven walks.
Facing Bradshaw Mountain in their final game of the tournament, the Lady Birds played well, but fell 5-0. Holbrook had seven hits in the game, including two each from Bakurza and Alizia Foster. Tavena Gishal, Baldonado and Cherokee Yellowhair each had one hit, with Yellowhair’s going as a double. Bradshaw scored twice in the first inning, then added two more in the fourth and one in the fifth. Nez took the loss in the circle, pitching six innings. She gave up five runs, only three earned, on eight hits with three strikeouts.
The Lady Roadrunners are now 3-6 on the season. Their game with Blue Ridge scheduled for Monday afternoon was postponed due to windy conditions. After playing at Tuba City on Tuesday, they will have a week off to prepare for a home game against Greyhills on Tuesday, March 29.
