Needing to place at least third in the 3A North Region Softball Tournament to advance to the state playoffs this week, the Holbrook Lady Roadrunners accomplished that task with a win over Window Rock last Saturday afternoon in the third and fourth place game.
Holbrook advanced to the final four of the tournament after ending Chinle’s season on Tuesday, then met up with top seeded Winslow in semifinal action on Friday afternoon.
Winslow is projected to be a state title contender, but Holbrook played well through the first two innings, trailing just 1-0. In the third and fourth stanzas, the Lady Bulldogs turned the tide and rolled to a 9-0 win.
Holbrook had just one hit in the shutout loss as Aaren Billie went one for two, but had three base runners, with PJ Gabaldon and Jessica Paz reaching base on fielding errors by Winslow.
Janecia Nez pitched all six innings, taking the loss in the circle. She faced 35 batters, allowing nine runs, seven earned, on nine hits with one walk.
Holbrook 000 000 0 0
Winslow 103 500 0 9
Saturday’s matchup with Window Rock was essentially the Lady Birds’ first playoff game, because a loss would have brought an end to their season. They gained control from the beginning, scoring runs in each of the first four innings to lead 6-0 through five innings. Three more in the top of the sixth were enough to punch their ticket to the state playoffs with a 9-3 win and a third place finish in the regional tournament.
Holbrook pounded out 17 hits, including four extra base hits. Erin Aragon went three for four with three RBIs, stole one base and scored twice. Gabaldon was five for five with a double, an RBI, stole two bases and scored four runs. Shantina Kinlicheenie went one for three with a double. Kellin Bakurza was three for five including a triple, a double, an RBI and scored once. Paz was one for five with a stolen base and scored once. Alizia Foster went two for four. Sheriesse Thomas was zero for two, but walked once and scored a run. Tess Baldonado went two for four.
Bakurza earned the win in the circle, pitching all seven innings. She faced 34 batters and gave up three runs, all earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Holbrook 113 103 0 9
Window Rock 000 002 1 3
Holbrook advances to the state tournament as the No. 15 seed and will face second seeded Estrella Foothills on Field 6 of the Rose Mofford Complex at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6. If the Lady Birds can pull off an upset win, they would face either seventh ranked Florence or 10th seeded Tuba City at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. A loss would bring their season to a close.
