The Wildcats have had an interesting schedule thus far in the early portion of their season. Following their own tournament held this past weekend they have now played a total of five games. Three of those games have been against Ash Fork, which they have now beaten two out of three times making their season record 2-3 overall.

According to Coach Shawn Layden the best team in the eight team tourney this weekend was Hyde Park from Texas, but due to their flight schedules and Texas rules, they were unable to play in the championship round. The Panthers did defeat the Wildcats 11-0 on Thursday. In that game Hyde Park scored two runs in the second, three in the third, and finished the game off with six runs in the fourth. They held the Cats to just two hits, one from Byrndon Buckley and the other by Dylan Romero, with each going 1 for 4, although Romero’s hit was a double. Joseph City used five pitchers in the game and collectively they gave up the 11 runs, on nine hits with only one strikeout and walked five.

Joseph City fell to Chinle in what was the semi-final round by a final of 11-8. Chinle jumped out early scoring five first inning runs then built that lead to 9-0 through the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth Joseph City climbed back into the game with four runs. The visiting Wildcats tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh, only to see Joseph City again make the game closer with four in the bottom of the seventh before Chinle finally closed the door.

Playing for what was essentially third and fourth place against Ash Fork on Saturday the Wildcats won the game 9-7 but not before Spartans made it close in the end. Ash Fork ended up scoring their seven runs on seven hits, made just one error but left nine on base. Joseph City scored their nine runs on 10 hits, but made five errors and left six on base.

Bryndon Buckley pitched well striking out 17 batters in the game before being pulled with two outs in the seventh inning so as not to exceed the new pitch count ruled enforced by the AIA this year. That pitching change made things interesting for the Cats who eventually ended the game with the bases loaded on a fly ball to center field.

Cameron Baldwin went 3 for 3 with three doubles. Rance Haddox was 2 for 4 with a double. Buckley was 2 for 3 with two doubles and Dylan Romero went 2 for 4 with a double.

Joseph City will now have some time off before resuming play on March 21 when they host St. Johns. Two days later they will play at Show Low.