The Roadrunners of Holbrook High School played well in a defensive struggle and actually out hit their opponents, but they eventually came out on the wrong end of a one-run decision in the 3A state baseball semifinals on Friday afternoon.
Coming in as the 10th overall seed, Holbrook met up with the sixth seeded Estrella Foothills Wolves, who had beaten their opponents in the first two rounds by a combined score of 26-2, including a 15-0 shut out in the quarterfinal round.
After two scoreless innings, Estrella posted the first run of the game, scoring once in the bottom of the third. Holbrook quickly bounced back, pushing across two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. The Birds held that lead until the bottom of the sixth, where they were caught and passed by the Wolves, who scored twice. In the seventh, Holbrook was unable to tie the game, ending their season with the 3-2 loss.
Javier Quintana took the loss, pitching 52/3 innings and facing 24 batters. He gave up three runs, only two earned, on four hits with three strikeouts, and five walks. Caleb Layden pitched the final third of an inning, facing just one batter.
At the plate, Blake Maestas and Jesse Spangler were each one for two. Layden went one for four with one stolen base. Levi Reyes went two for two with a double, an RBI, scored a run and stole one base. Austin Lozano was two for three. Ryan Baldonado went one for three with an RBI. Joey Aguilera was one for three. Robert Jaquez scored a run.
The Wolves advanced to the title game, where they were beaten in extra innings by Blue Ridge.
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Holbrook wrapped up the season with an overall record of 18-10.
