Prep Sports Weekly Preview
Monday, April 06, 2009
As tough as last week was for the Sinagua baseball team, it's very possible this week could be even tougher.
In two games last week, the Mustangs lost to city rivals Coconino and Flagstaff in heartbreaking fashion. Against the Eagles on Monday, SHS led by a one run going into the sixth inning before giving up five runs and eventually losing 10-6. Against Coconino on Thursday, Sinagua trailed 10-3 going into the seventh inning but scored seven runs to tie the game and force it into extra innings. One inning later, the Panthers' Amos Combrink hit a three-run walk- off home run to give CHS a 13-10 win.
The Mustangs will try to move on from last week's losses this week, but it won't be easy. On Tuesday, SHS hosts Cottonwood Mingus, the No. 1 team in the Class 4A, Division II power rankings.
The Marauders are off to a 13-4 start and have four players with more than 50 at-bats hitting over .450. Senior infielder Tony Vocca leads the team with a .521 batting average and 31 RBIs in just 17 games according to www.maxpreps.com
After hosting Mingus on Tuesday, SHS will turn its attention to Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain, who is just two spots behind Mingus in the Class 4A, D-II power rankings at No. 3. The Bears got off to a slow start, but have come on to win their last six games and are 2-0 in Grand Canyon Region play.
The Bears' big hitter has been Javy Barcelo, who is batting .436 with three homers and 15 RBIs this year.
If SHS (10-9) is able to win either game this week, it would be its first GCR win since April 21, 2007. Last year, the Mustangs went 0-10 in region play and this year they are off to an 0-2 start.