Fifteenth ranked Joseph City split their two games last week, picking up an easy 15-0 home field win over Red Mesa on Tuesday, but then fell 8-11 in a competitive game to visiting Bagdad on Friday.
The Wildcats scored 10 runs through the first two innings vs Red Mesa and the game was over quickly. They finished them off with a 7-run fourth inning.
Tytan Penrod had the hot bat at the plate going 3 for 4 with a double. Heston Miller went 1 for 4 with a double. Christian Delgado went 1 for 2; William Howerton, 1 for 1; Benson Moss, 1 for 1; Colton Larsen, 2 for 3; Justin Gardner, 2 for 2; King Robinson, 2 for 2; and Trak Fish went 1 for 2.
Kase Fish pitched two innings of hitless ball with 1 strikeout and 1 walk. Trak Fish also worked two innings allowing just 1 hit with 2 strikeouts.
Friday’s game with Bagdad was close throughout. The Sultans scored 4 runs to start the game, but Joseph City made it a 1-run game through the second inning.
Bagdad increased their lead to 8-3 with 4 more in the fourth. The Wildcats scored 2 in the fourth, then matched the Sultans with 1 each in the fifth. Joseph City made it a 9-8 game going into the final inning, but the visitors scored 2 insurance runs in the top of the seventh, then held off the Wildcats in the bottom of the final inning to secure the 11-8 road win.
Kyan Larsen went 1 for 3 with a triple. Penrod was 1 for 3 with a double. Kase Fish went 1 for 2, Heston Miller was 1 for 3 and Cort Miller was 2 for 3.
Kase Fish pitched 3 innings allowing 5 runs on 4 hits with a walk and a strikeout. Cort Miller worked 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 1 hit with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Joseph City entered Friday’s game precariously ranked 15th in the power rankings. In order to make the postseason they will need to finish no worse than 16th in the final rankings.
This week they should pick up two easy wins on Monday with a double header at home against the 45th 2A ranked Greyhills team. Wednesday will be a tougher test when they host fourth ranked Williams. They will finish their regular season on Saturday with a home field match up with Ash Fork/Seligman. Like the Wildcats, Ash Fork may be needing to win that final game as well to extend their season. They were ranked just ahead of the Wildcats in 14th position going into this week.
The Wildcats are 9-10-1 overall and 6-6 in regular season games.
