The Birds split their two home games played last week, falling to Round Valley 9-4 on Monday, then bouncing back with a 5-4 win over Chinle on Wednesday.
Monday’s game saw Round Valley score twice in each of the first two innings and once in the top of the fifth to lead 5-0. Holbrook trimmed all but one of those runs away with a 4-run fifth frame. The Elks came right back with 4 final runs in the top of the sixth, then neither team scored in the seventh.
Niko Espitia went 2 for 3. Ty Larson was 1 for 3. Tildyn Larsen was 1 for 1. Ben Eisele went 1 for 2.
Holbrook utilized three pitchers in the loss. Justin Maestas worked 4.2 innings, giving up 7 runs on 5 hits with 7 strikeouts and walked 3. Eisele worked two frames allowing no hits or runs with 4 strikeouts and walked 2. Josh LeSeuer pitched one-third of an inning giving up 2 runs on one hit with a pair of walks.
Hosting Chinle on Wednesday, the Wildcats took the early lead with a single run in the top of the first. Holbrook scored once in the third tying the game, then went ahead 3-1 with 2 in the fourth. Chinle scored once each in the sixth and seventh to force extra innings with a 3-3 tie after seven innings. In the top of the eighth, the Wildcats moved in front 4-3 with a single run. Holbrook then faced 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, but a controversial play in the field led to the bases being loaded. Chinle then hit two consecutive Holbrook batters to lose the game 5-4.
Holbrook had just 6 hits in the game. Espitia went 2 for 4. Eisele was 2 for 4 with two doubles. Baler Reidhead went 1 for 3, and Stefan Trujillo went 1 for 4.
Lukai Frenette pitched seven innings giving up 4 runs on 8 hits with 4 strikeouts and no walks. Reidhead pitched the final inning allowing no hits or runs.
With the split Holbrook improved their overall record to 6-7. They are now 2-1 in regular-season contests. This week they will host Snowflake on Tuesday and then travel to Winslow on Friday. Next Tuesday they travel to Alchesay.
