By Greg Perkins The Lobos baseball team has hit a bit of a rough patch lately, having dropped three of their past four ball games. Two of those losses came last week with a three-run loss to Show Low on Tuesday, followed by a second three-run loss at Miami the following day. Those two losses saw their season record dip to 11-5 overall and their power ranking position also took a hit, with Snowflake ranked 13th heading into their final two regular season games this week. With two games left vs 25th ranked Payson, Snowflake would most likely need to win at least one of the two to ensure they have a spot in the state tournament. Playing in Show Low on Tuesday, the Lobos trailed 16-7 heading into the seventh inning where they made a late game rally, scoring six runs in the top of the final inning before the Cougars closed the door for good handing Snowflake a 16-13 road loss. Jace LeSueur went 4 for 4, with a home run; Brevin Matthews, 4 for 5 with two home runs; Rhett Wengert, 3 for 5 and also had a home run; and Caleb Lyman, Eason Butler, Ryan Caskey and Caden Cantrell each had one hit. Cantrell started the game on the hill and worked five innings allowing nine runs on eight hits, with four walks and five strikeouts. LeSueur pitched one inning giving up seven runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. The following day the Lobos were back on the road, this time with a longer trip to Miami to face the Vandals. That longer bus ride may have taken a toll. The Lobos gave up two first inning runs and eventually trailed 5-0 before scoring their only two runs in the top of the seventh in the 5-2 loss. Just two games remain on the regular season docket. After facing the Longhorns in Payson on Tuesday night, Snowflake will host Payson on Friday night in the finale. If they can get at least one win they would have a week off to prepare for a first round game on May 8. That game will be at the site of the higher seeded team. Snowflake will be on the road in the first round of the state playoffs.
