Joseph City moved its winning streak to six games with a pair of wins last week. Depending on the outcome of their final two regular season games played on Monday and Tuesday of this week they could end up hosting a first-round 1A state playoff game on Saturday.
Hosting Lincoln Prep on Tuesday last week the Wildcats prevailed 16-6 in five innings. The Cats took the early lead, with a pair of first-inning runs. Then, after giving up one to the Lightning in the second, they extended their lead with six runs in the second frame. Joseph City led 9-3 through five innings. In the sixth after Lincoln Prep scored three runs, the Cats closed out the game with seven runs.
Bannon Johnstun went 4 for 4, with a double. Blake Palmer was 1 for 2, with a double. Zane Johnson went 2 for 4; Kelton Chairez, 1 for 3; Owen Beatty, 2 for 4; and Jareon Miller was 2 for 3.
Bannon Johnstun pitched all five innings giving up six runs on nine hits, with a walk and he tallied nine strikeouts.
Hosting neighbor Holbrook on Saturday, the Wildcats won the game 11-9 in extra innings. Joseph City scored single runs in each of the first six innings. Holbrook scored twice in the top of the sixth then tied the game with four runs in the top of the seventh forcing the extra frame. After the Roadrunners built a three-run lead in the top of the eighth, Joseph City rallied back to win the game with five runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Zane Johnson went 1 for 4; Bannon Johnstun, 1 for 3; Kelton Chairez, 2 for 4; Owen Beatty, 2 for 4; Jareon Miller, 2 for 3; and Brody Penrod was 2 for 3. All 10 of the Wildcat hits were singles.
Brody Penrod pitched 5. 2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Owen Beatty pitched two frames allowing four runs on four hits, with three walks and three strikeouts. Blake Palmer pitched one-third of an inning giving up three runs on two hits with one walk.
Joseph City will have hosted Ash Fork/Seligman on Monday, then will have played in Heber against the Mustangs on Tuesday to close out the regular season. The location of their first-round state playoff game on Saturday will be determined by their final ranking. If they finish inside the top eight in the 1A rankings they will be hosting a playoff game. If they drop to nine or lower they will be on the road on Saturday.
