AZSPORTSNETWORK

What a great day for baseball and softball in Arizona.

Baseball:

Kofa 2 YC 1:
There was a huge game last night as we got to see how really good Yuma Catholic will be in baseball. They lost 2-1 to Kofa which shows they will be a force in 2A this season.

Read the story from the Yumasun:
http://varsity.yumasun.com/sports/game-2725-leon-sanchez.html

BY EDWARD CARIFIO, SUN STAFF WRITER

Even in a game with four outstanding pitching performances, Sergio Sanchez stood out on top.

The Kofa starter struck out 11 in six innings as the Kings topped Yuma Catholic 2-1 in the first meeting between the two schools' baseball teams Monday.

The Shamrocks were playing in their first game of the year, but the visiting Kings (2-4 overall, 1-0 AIA) had already played at the Adam Donnenfield Memorial Tournament at Phoenix-Brophy. Sanchez started one of those games and gave up one run in a no decision to defending 5A Division I state champion Tempe-Corona del Sol.

"Sergio pitched really well, he had to," Kofa coach Richy Leon said. "He's come out strong out of the gate."

The Shamrocks struck first when Eric Garcia singled, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a single by Josh Evans - who started for YC.

Despite allowing runners to reach in every inning, Evans kept the Kings scoreless until the third, when Hector Valenzuela - the only player for either team with a multihit effort - led off with a single and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Kane.

Evans started the fourth, but was lifted after his sixth walk of the game to pinch hitter Simon Corea, who had just returned to the Kings' roster Monday after basketball season ended last week. YC coach Curt Foppe brought Matt Koppinger on to pitch. Koppinger allowed back-to-back infield singles, then Sanchez flew out to center field to bring home Corea.

Koppinger only allowed three hits the rest of the game, but Sanchez and closer Mario Rivera combined to keep the Shamrocks off the scoreboard.

"Josh and Matt, I'm relying on them to be our two best this year," Foppe said. "(Koppinger) came in and did his best. He showed us what he can do for us this year. That's a very good ballclub over there, and I'm proud of my guys because we stayed with them.

"Sergio is a great pitcher. He's going to be one of the best pitchers we see all year," he said. "He did a great job throwing strikes. He did a great job going after us. He's a great strikeout pitcher, but I felt our guys didn't have a great approach. Maybe that has to do with it being the first game."

Sanchez threw 116 pitches in six innings. He walked five and allowed three hits. Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save of the season.

"(Rivera has) been our go-to guy, and we saw that early that he could be our go-to guy late in the ballgame," Leon said. "He throws a lot of strikes and is funky enough, throws a slider for strikes. So far so good with Mario."

Even though the season isn't a week old, Leon said there was a lot riding on the game. YC and Kofa have a strong football rivalry, having played three times.

"It's the first time we've ever played them," Leon said. "And you have the whole 2A-5A kind of thing. But a win's a win. They're a good ballclub and they're going to beat a lot of people."

That may have led to a little big of pressing on the part of the Kings, Leon said. Kofa stranded 11 runners, eight in scoring position.

"We stress every day we compete against the baseball and we don't worry about who we're playing against," Leon said. "But it was very hard to ignore. I'll be honest. You've got a little rivalry going and it's going to brew and it's a good thing for our programs. It was hard to ignore and I think our guys were trying to do a little too much."

Evans lasted 3 1/3, allowed two earned runs, two hits and struck out two. Foppe said it was a hard choice to take him out of the game.

"He's my senior leader, and I knew he was struggling, but I was looking at the scoreboard and it was 1-1," Foppe said. "He was finding his way out of innings ... but I felt we were to a point I think they were ready to possibly knock it around a little bit."

But Koppinger came on and pitched well, despite the two quick hits. He surrendered five hits in the game, managed a strike out and walked none. All 10 hits in the game were singles.

SanManuel:
The Miners will have a good hitting team but pitching could be their downfall this season.

Camp Verde:

The Camp Verde Baseball team graduated three seniors from last year's tumultuous season. This year, the Cowboys look to have a solid squad of players returning to the field. Last year the Cowboys lost to Ray in the 2A South Regional Tournament, missing out on State by one game. This year's team looks to get back on track and an appearance at State.

Yellowjackets nearly come up winners in Diltz’s debut
Please read article for the Tombstone vs St. David game by Liz manning:
http://www.svherald.com/content/sports/2010/03/02/yellowjackets-nearly-come-winners-diltz-s-debut

2A baseball Scores:

Ray 5 Superior 1:
The huge story here is that Ray suited up only 10 players.

St. Johns 18 Joe City 4

St. David 3 Tombstone 2

Chandler Prep 8 Gilbert Christian 6

Desert Christian 14 St. Gregs 1

Morenci 6 Duncan 5

Valley Lutheran 19 Tempe Prep 0

Tonopah 9 North Pointe 5

Bourgade Christian 10 ALA 0

Hayden 11 Baboquivari 0

Softball:
Bisbee 18 PRCA 8

The huge game which is not a misprint was the Bisbee 18-8 win over PRCA!! No matter who was or wasn't there the win will help Bisbee in the PPTs to qualify for the top 24 teams in the 2A state tournament. Actually Bisbee was down 5-0 heading into the 5th inning so they had to come from behind. This is a huge win for Bisbee and we will see how PRCA bounces back as they do have their pitcher from last year coming back but they did lose a lot of seniors. I am sure the leadership of this team will need to step up after losing a 5-0 lead slip away late in the game and then essentially getting blown out by a team that is in rebuilding mode with a lot of young players.

Please read entire story at:
http://www.svherald.com/content/sports/2010/03/02/softball-roundup-bisbee-rallies-defeat-pusch-ridge-18-8-six

Tombstone Loses first game of season under Devere:

ST. DAVID — The Tombstone softball team lost its season opener against St. David on Tuesday night 11-1.

The Yellowjackets were plagued with errors, committing 11 in the game.

Lillian Thompson started for Tombstone, going four innings with six walks, seven runs and five strikeouts. Angie Moore finished the game in the fifth, going 2/3 of the inning with three hits and one strikeout.

“I think we all learned how young and inexperienced we are,” Tombstone head coach Robert Devere said. “There were some shining moments and we could see potential, but we’ve got to string together every pitch, and we’re not there yet.”

Tombstone scored its lone run in the top of the fifth. Andie Devere bunted Rebecca Floyd to second, and Floyd came home on a hit by Maria Roberts.

Parker defeats Antelope:

The Antelope softball team couldn't muster much offense in a 12-0 loss at Parker on Tuesday. Joclyn Salcido and Mary Tillou had the Rams' only two hits. Antelope is in rebuild mode this year as are many other teams.

Camp Verde:

The Camp Verde softball team finished last season with all smiles when they won the 2A State Tournament, bringing home the title for the first time in 28-years. The Cowboys defeated Willcox in the Championship game, 4-2.

Five seniors graduated from that group, which includes pitcher Lera Petska who pitched in the final game.

This year's team does return some quality players and will need to hit the ground running as they will be the team to beat this season.

2A Softball Scores:

Camp Verde Track:

The Camp Verde Track and Field team has a lot to look forward to this season. Last year, the Cowboys spent a lot of time getting back to basics on the boys' team.

The girls team won their region while the boys placed 3rd. Last year the Girls team placed 11th at state, while the boys placed 14th.

Camp Verde Golf

The Camp Verde golf team continues to grow and develop into a successful program. Coach Steve Stone will help lead his team as they attempt to get back to the State Competition