The Snowflake Lobos went 2-1 in the games played in their second to last week of the regular season. Those three games were decided by a combined total of just four runs, with wins over Blue Ridge and Safford sandwiched around a loss to Holbrook.
Last Tuesday’s home game with Blue Ridge was a pitcher’s duel through the first four scoreless innings. Each team scored once in the fifth, then the Lobos moved ahead with single runs in the sixth and seventh to win the game 3-1.
Snowflake scored three runs on seven hits and made no errors. The Yellowjackets had just one hit and made four errors in the loss.
Cadeon Ervien had two of the seven hits, going 2 for 4, and scored once. Tyler Hanson went 1 for 4 with an RBI. Tarren Reidhead was 0 for 3, but reached once on an error and scored a run. Matt Lamb, Jr. Fox and Ty Pawlik all went 1 for 3, with Pawlik collecting an RBI. Tyler Claridge was 0 for 2, but scored after reaching on an error. Tanner Crosby went 1 for 4.
Hanson worked all seven innings on the mound, facing 25 Yellowjackets. He gave up just one run on one hit with 14 strikeouts and walked two.
Thursday’s game at Holbrook went back and forth before the Roadrunners scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a single with the bases loaded, breaking a 7-7 tie to win the game 8-7.
Snowflake trailed by two after the first, then moved in front with four second inning runs. In the third, Holbrook moved on top after a five-run frame. Snowflake knotted the game with three runs in the sixth before giving up the game winner in the seventh.
Ervien went 2 for 3 with an RBI and scored once. Hanson was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and scored twice. Reidhead was 0 for 2 with an RBI and scored once. Fox went 1 for 4. Pawlik went 2 for 3, scoring once. Claridge was 0 for 4, but scored two runs. Crosby went 1 for 3 with two RBIs.
Jake Lyman pitched five innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Fox worked 11/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with one walk.
Friday’s final home game of the season against Safford went to eight innings before the Lobos prevailed 12-11. Snowflake lead 6-3 after the first, but trailed 11-8 in the seventh. The Lobos rallied with three in the bottom of the seventh to force the extra inning.
Ervien went 3 for 4 with two doubles; Hanson, 2 for 5 with a double; Reidhead, 2 for 4 with a double; Lamb, 2 for 5; Pawlik, 2 for 5 with a double; Claridge, 1 for 3; Crosby, 1 for 4; and Jake Stewart, 3 for 3.
Snowflake utilized four pitchers in the win. Hanson, Pawlik, Claridge and Crosby combined to allow 11 runs on 12 hits with six walks and nine strikeouts.
After playing at Show Low on Tuesday, the Lobos will close out the regular season in Winslow today (April 29). They entered this week ranked 12th in the power points with a 12-4 record and will play in the first round of the state tournament, which gets underway on Saturday, May 2, at the Surprise Baseball Complex.
