The Roadrunners picked up a pair of much needed wins at the close of last week, including a 14-1 win over visiting Globe on Friday preceded by a 12-2 home field win over Mogollon on Thursday.
Thursday’s contest saw the Birds gain the upper hand early with six first inning runs. Holbrook tacked on another run in the third to lead 7-0. The Mustangs scored their only runs in the fourth, only to see Holbrook close out the game under the mercy rule in the bottom of the fifth.
Holbrook collected 12 runs on 12 hits, made no errors and left nine stranded. Mogollon had just one hit, made three errors and left one on base.
Tristan Baldonado pitched all five innings, facing just 18 batters. He allowed two runs on just one hit with five strikeouts and walked only one.
At the plate, Scottie Gishie went 1 for 2 with an RBI and scored once. Carlos Quintana was 1 for 4 and scored once. Cade Maestas was 0 for 2, but walked twice, stole a base and scored a run. Nick Robinson went 1 for 4 and scored once. Lanny Newton-Pender went 2 for 3 with a double and scored three runs. Buddy Wagoner was 1 for 2 with an RBI and scored two runs. Baldonado helped his own cause, going 3 for 4 with a double, four RBIs and scoring once. Trevor Barton went 3 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and scored two runs.
Friday’s win over Globe was the Birds seventh regular season win against 6 losses, leaving them ranked 30th in the power points when this week began.
The Holbrook squad again started quickly, scoring four runs in the first. The Birds added two in the second, five in the third and closed the deal with three in the fourth. Globe avoided the shutout with a single run in the top of the fifth and final inning of the 14-1 Roadrunner win.
Holbrook tallied 14 hits, made three errors and left seven on base. Gishie went 1 for 3; Quintana, 3 for 3; Maestas, 1 for 3; Wagoner, 1 for 4; Baldonado, 1 for 1; Logan Tsinijinnie, 2 for 2; Barton, 1 for 1 with a home run; Alec Smith, 1 for 1; Jordan Smith, 1 for 1; Brandon Kester, 1 for 1; and Michael O’Brien, 1 for 1.
Tsinijinnie worked three innings, facing 10 batters. He allowed no runs on just one hit with six strikeouts and walked none. Quintana worked two innings against nine batters. He allowed one unearned run on no hits with six strikeouts and no walks.
Heading into what is a critical penultimate week of the regular season, the Roadrunners have two games this week which may now be must win contests to keep their playoff hopes alive. They will host Snowflake this afternoon (April 22) in their final home game of the season. On Friday, April 24, they play at Winslow. The final week of the season will find the Birds in Whiteriver on Tuesday, April 28, to face Alchesay, then at St. Johns the next day. With expected wins in the final two games, Holbrook will most likely need at least one, if not two wins this week to reach the post-season as one of the top 24 teams in Division III.
