Despite having just a 2-3 regular season record, the Wildcats found themselves ranked seventh in the 1A power rankings at the onset of this week. Last week they fell at St. Johns on Tuesday 7-4, then were soundly beaten at home by Chinle on Thursday, 14-5. Their game with Northland Prep scheduled for Friday was postponed due to bad weather in Flagstaff.
Facing the Redskins in St. Johns, Joseph City fell behind early as the home team scored three runs in the first frame. St. Johns opened up a 6-0 lead through four before the Cats scored twice in the fifth. They scored another two runs in the seventh but it wasn’t enough to get back in the game.
The Wildcats scattered 13 hits in the game, outhitting St. Johns, but their four errors hurt.
At the plate, Bryndon Buckley went 2 for 3; Dylan Romero, 3 for 4; and Kolton McCormick, Rance Haddox, Cameron Baldwin and Troy Poudrier, 2 for 4. Poudrier had the only extra base hit with a double.
On the mound, Jesse Hulsey, Baldwin and Poudrier combined to allow seven runs on six hits with four strikeouts and they collectively walked seven.
Playing at home on Thursday, the Wildcats led Chinle after the first inning 2-1 and fought back in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 5-5, but that was the end of their hopes. Chinle scored twice in the fifth, added three in the fourth, then finished the game off with four runs in the top of the seventh to secure the 14-5 road win. Chinle pitcher Eric Skinner notched 13 strikeouts against the Wildcats.
After playing at Williams on Tuesday, the Cats will host Seligman in a doubleheader contest on Thursday. On Saturday they remain at home to host Sedona.
