Diamond Notes

Millennium scored 4 runs in the first inning and coasted to a 6-2 win over Cienega, in the last pool play game of the Cleats 101 Baseball Classic Tournament. Ty Johnson drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly, then back-to-back doubles by Anthony Davison and James Castro, a dropped third strike and an RBI single by Emelio Oliverio plated the other 3 runs.
Ty Johnson picked up the win on the mound, scattering 4 hits over 5 strong innings. He recorded 7 strikeouts and the only serious threat came in the top of the third when Cienega scored 2 unearned runs thanks to some sloppy defense. But Johnson pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam by recording a big strikeout.
The Tigers got those 2 runs back in the 5th when Tyler Booth led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run, and then consecutive throwing errors produce the final Millennium run.
Here are the Final Results of The Mountain Ridge Bracket of the Tournament:
1. Liberty 2-1
2. Millennium 2-1
3. Cienega 1-2
4. Mtn Ridge 1-2

Above from Left: Liberty's Nathan Bannister hackin', Bret Wilkey and Cody Gray from Mountain Ridge

Skyline 8 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors

Perry 2 runs, 8 hits, 2 errors

Winning Pitcher: Jewel Chavez, complete game, 2 walks, 5 K's

Losing Pitcher: Tyler Lynch
Both starting pitchers, Chavez and Tanner Gunkle for Perry, were effective early on. With no score in the bottom of the 3rd, Perry went ahead 1-0. Wil Schommer led off with a single, David Walker followed with another single. One out later, Connor Jones plated Schommer with a single to right field.
After a pitching change by Perry to start the 4th, Skyline erupted for 5 runs. Trey Lang led off with a walk, Kyle Lewis had a RBI double, and Anvil Sinsabaugh also had a RBI single. With the wind picking up and some miscommunication by Perry, Skyline was able to tack on a couple unearned runs to make it 5-1.
Perry cut the lead to 5-2 in the 6th inning with singles by David Pederson and AJ Amaro before Daniel DiGangi delivered an RBI single.
Trey Lang finished the scoring in the top of the 7th with a monster 3 run homer to straight away center that hit half way up the batters eye screen.
Skyline is now 3-0 while Perry is 2-1 in the McClintock tournament.
Hitting leaders:
Skyline: Kyle Lewis, 2-3, 2 2B's, RBI
Anvil Sinsabaugh, 2-4, RBI
Trey Lang, 1-3, HR, BB, 3 RBI's
Joe Reyes, 2B
Perry: Connor Jones 3-4, 2B, RBI

Perry, 8 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors

Casa Grande 0 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors
Winning Pitcher: Jaren Drummond, 4 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 4 k's

Losing Pitcher: Tucker Esmay
Perry jumped out in front in first inning on a walk to Aaron Lara, followed by a single by Connor Jones, and a ground out RBI by Scot Taggart.
In the 3rd inning, Daniel DiGangi and David Walker set the table with a HBP and a walk. Lara successfully moved the runners over with a bunt and Jones drove both of them in with a single.
In the 4th inning, the Pumas stretched their lead to 7-0. JT Jobusch led off with a double, Colin Braithwaite followed with an RBI single. One out later, DiGangi and Walker both walked. Lara followed with an RBI single and Jones finished the scoring with a RBI groundout.
Perry got their final run in the 7th on a single by Jones, followed by Taggart and David Pederson reaching base on errors.
Pitching wise, Daniel Felix made his varsity debut with an effective 5th inning. Max Kraust then came in to pitch the final 2 innings, recording 3 k's.
Hitting leaders:
Perry: Connor Jones 3-4, 3 RBI's
JT Jobusch 3-4, 2B
David Walker and Daniel Digangi, 2 runs each

Perry 13 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors
AJ 3 runs, 6 hits, 4 errors - 5 innings 10 run rule.
Every Perry Puma either scored or drove in at least 1 run.
Winning Pitcher: David Pederson Complete game 6 hits, 3 walks, 3 K's.
Losing Pitcher: Tyler Tyson
Game Summary: AJ got on the scoreboard in 1st inning with 2 runs on 3 hits.
Still 2-0, when Perry erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the 4th, all with 2 outs, highlighted by Scot Taggart's 2 run home run.
After AJ got another run in the top of the 5th, Perry got final 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to end the game.
Hitting Highlights:
AJ: Johnny Hanson 2-3, 2B
Tyler Tyson 2-3, 2B
Mike Davalos 2-3

Perry: Scot Taggart 2-3, 2run HR
JT Jobusch 2-3, RBI
David Walker, 1-2, 3 RBI's
Connor Jones, 2B, 2 RBI's
Alex Burridge 1-2, 2 RBI's

Play continued in the Adam Donnenfeld tournament at Brophy College Prep Saturday night. Brophy ran into a tough, scrappy Tucson High Badgers team and managed to come away with a 6-3 Victory. Senior Trevor Fassero started and went 3-1/3 innings and got help getting out of a bases-loaded, 1 out jam from Senior Mark Stern, who went the remaining 3-2/3 innings in dominant fashion, giving up just 1 hit the rest of the way. Brophy was led once again offensively by Senior Kasey Coffman and it is very safe to say that Coffman is locked in already, as the Senior 3rd baseman ripped two more homers, the 2nd of which was a mammoth, towering shot deep into the night, bringing his total to 4 in 4 games.

The Brophy Broncos run their record to 4-0, with the Basha Bears up next on Monday.

Boulder Creek's Braylon Cox beats the throw to Derrick Corrales, Tolleson's Victor Gardea lays one down

Desert Ridges bats stayed in check for 5 innings as Sunrise Mtns Steven Kane threw 5 strong innings allowing only 2 hits and left the game with a 5-0 lead. But the inability of Sunrise Mtn to put the game away early leaving the bases loaded 3 times and runners in scoring position every inning left the door open for the Desert Ridge comeback. Desert Ridge was down 5-1 heading into the 7th when a pair of walks and a couple singles off the Sunrise Mtn bullpen set the stage for Travis Flores heroics. Flores took a 1-1 curveball over the left field fence for a game winning grand slam! A credit to Desert Ridge, they played outstanding defense all game including a 3 run homer robbed by the centerfielder in the 2nd inning and a diving play by the 2nd basemen in the 4th inning with bases loaded and 2 outs. Sunrise Mtn will play in 3rd place game vs.. Gilbert on Monday @ Sunrise Mtn and Desert Ridge will travel to Chaparral for the championship of the Scottsdale Quarterback Classic.

Deer Valley beat Centenial 12-11 on Saturday with back and forth scoring by both teams. Deer Valley scored the winning run in the bottom of the 7th after senior Kyle Herrington led off with a walk, soph AJ Kupstis got down the bunt with 2 strikes. Senior Jordan Gonzalez scored from second as a courtesy runner on the game ending line drive hit by Junior Zach Richter. Senior Jacob Doyle hit his 2nd homerun of the season, also homering was Junior Andrew Nicholas. Multiple hit games turned in by, Junior Darian Ramage, Herrington, Senior Andrew Knisely, Richter, and Doyle.

CDS Run Rules SDO in 5 11-1

Corona bounced back after Saturday's loss to Brophy Prep. sending Trevor Allen to the mound to pitch 4 solid innings giving up 4 hits and 1 walk.
Corona jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st and never looked back.
Breaking the game open in the 3rd, 12 batters went to the plate: 4 singles, two doubles and a triple later the game was 11-0.
SDO scored one in the bottom of 4 on a fielder's choice before Sr. Brett Butler, back from a
2-1/2 season layoff, closed out the game in the 5th retiring three-in-row.

Joey Rocha started for the pride giving up 6 hits and 2 runs. The Pride struck first with Kevin Cron going deep in the first inning. In the second the Pride went deep again with a solo shot by Jr. Tony Balderama. In the third the Wolves tied it back up with a blast by Michael Janikis and a triple by Lindsey who scored on an error. Tony Balderama went to the mound for the Pride in the fourth and held the Wolves scoreless through the fifth. The Pride came back in the 4th with a solo HR by Josh Alexander that went to straight center and over the hitters eye, this was followed by hits by Joey Curletta and JT Marino who both scored, putting MP up 5-3. In the 6th DM came back with Adam Sonabend getting a hit, Cam Teich drawing a walk followed by Janikis getting an RBI double knocking in Sonabend, with Teich and Janikis eventually scoring on Pride errors. MP could not make any thing happen in the 5th and 6th. In the 7th with the game tied 5-5 Lindsey drew a walk and scored on a Sonabend single. MP now down by one was led off by Jorden Kipper who got a double bringing up Cron who clinched it by again going deep with a walk off, his 4th HR of the year.
MP Hitters
Alexander 2-3 (HR)
Cron 2-4 (HR,2)
Kipper 2-4 (2B)
DM Hitters
Janikis 2-4 (HR)
Sonabend 2-4 (2B)

Marcos de Niza defeated Willow Canyon 9 - 4, Saturday morning in the Tolleson Tournament. Garrett Taggart, Cory Fields, Noel Rodriquez, and Henry Sanchez combined to yield no earned runs in the victory. Allard (#15) pitched 2 solid innings for WC.
For the Padres, Jesse Brooks was 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, Nick Fatica had 2 hits, and Zach Schira and Kendall Konopka each hit home runs.

The Coronado Dons pose with the championship trophy from the Laveen Baseball Classic

Desert Vista Coach Stan Luketich has a word with Derek Gray and Shaun Chase at the DV tourney

Desert Mountain rebounded from yesterday's loss to Desert Ridge by beating Chandler, 15-7. Kyle Tokasey pitched 3 2/3 strong innings for the win. Desert Mountain was led by Taylor Lindsey, who had 2 hits and drew 3 walks. Michael Janikis and Cody Erickson had 3 hits each while Hunter Thompson had 2 hits. Thompson, Erickson and Drew McLaughlin each had 3 RBI's as the DM bats came alive. Desert Mountain will play at Mountain Pointe Saturday at noon.

Sunrise Mtn defeated Mesa on Friday 12-2. Sunrise Mtn Sophomore Nick White pitched 3 solid innings followed by freshmen Seth Martinez and freshmen Brick Pasckiewicz. Sunrise Mtn offense was sparked by clutch hits by Drew Wolff 2 for 3, Grady Oulton 2 for 2 and Aaron Bummer 3 for 3. But the real damage was done by sophomore catcher Adam Webb who had a pair of 3 run bombs to left field. Sunrise Mtn will match up Saturday with 5A powerhouse Desert Ridge in the semifinals of the Scottsdale Quarterback Classic.

2-26-10 Caesar Chavez Tournament

With senior Tony Smith tossing in 6 solid innings as a starter, the Coronado offense continued to prove potent, handing down-state Douglass a 9-5 loss. With the heart of the Don’s batting order staying hot (Justin Rodriguez 4-4, Tim Stempkowski 3-4) Coronado outscored a stubborn Douglas squad. Defensively, junior Zach Chavez converted 7 put-out opportunities at second base. Called in to close in the 7^th, Stempkowski quieted Douglas’ comeback bid by striking out 2 of the 3 batters he set down in order. Coronado continues play tomorrow, hopeful of winning there way to a rematch against Caser Chavez.

Mesquite 8
Desert Ridge 7

Mesquite capitalized on poor base running and 7 errors to down Desert Ridge.

Pitchers:

DR: Grant Kempton pitched 6 innings and Xavier Sotelo pitched the 7th

M: Zach Davies went 5 innings

Offensive highlights:

DR:

Travis Flores 2 HR's (2run and solo)
Scott Hoffman 3-3 , with sole HR
Riley Unroe solo HR

M: Zach Davies 2 run HR

Desert ridge next plays at home on Saturday vs. Sunrise Mountain

Copper Canyon defeated Marcos de Niza on Friday afternoon 6 - 3, behind the solid pitching of Rudy (10) Gutierrez. Gutierrez fanned 11 while giving up no earned runs in six exceptional innings.

Copper Canyon got 2 runs in the 2nd off MdN starter Bias Alvarez on a double to right center by Dru Douglas; Ruben Hernandez reached on an error, Rodrigo Lopez singled home Douglas and Rodrigo Hernandez singled in Ruben Hernandez. CC scored in the 3rd on a Rudy Gutteriez double to right center and a run scoring single by Ruben Hernandez. CC plated 2 in the 5th when Tony Suarez and Alex Guttierez walked, Rudy Guttierez singled and Douglas singled. CC got their 6th run in the top of 6 on a walk to Marcos Gomez, a sac bunt by Suarez, a walk to Alex Guttierez, and a single by Rudy Guttierez. MdN got on the board in the home ½ of the 6th when Kyle Becerra singled, Donovan Evashenko reached on an error and Zach Schira drove in both with a double to right center. DeNiza got their final run on a home run deep over the right field wall by Garrett Taggart.

Copper Canyon is off to a good start with solid pitching performances from the Gutierrez Brothers and solid offense. The Aztecs defeated Ironwood behind a strong debut from Alex Gutierrez-6 ip 1R 11K's 4hits, Peoria-a game which included homeruns by Marcos Gomez, Rudy Gutierrez, and Dru Douglas, Marcos De Niza behind a outstanding performance on the bump by Rudy Gutierrez-6ip 2R 10k's 2BB and 2hits. He took a no-no into the 6th inning. The Aztecs pounded out 10 hits in the victory, and in the rubber match defeating Barry Goldwater with good efforts from Dru Douglas gathering his 9th RBI of the tourney to go with 7 hits and Ruben Hernandez belting his 1st homer of the season. Aztecs play Westview in the Semi-final at 12pm @ Copper Canyon.

Marcos de Niza bested Peoria on Friday night 18 - 5 @ Ironwood HS. Cameron Larson threw 2 innings, Aaron Fuller 2 and Henry Sanchez 1; all without giving up an earned run. Bias Alvarez had a double, Kyle Becerra was 3 for 3 with a triple and 2 RBIs, Kendall Konopka was 2 for 3 with an HR and 3 RBIs, Patrick Maloney chipped in a double, Zach Schira had a double and 2 RBI's, Garrett Taggart was 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI's and James Arguello was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs.

Saguaro rebounded from their close loss to Gilbert yesterday by beating Mountain Pointe in another close game 5-4. Saguaro's Ryan Comford (and leading batter) broke his thumb in the loss to Gilbert yesterday so the infield took on a new look. Josh Chapman started the game and threw 3.2 innings, gave up 5 hits but struck out 6. Alan Madsen and Kane McCaslin did a great job finishing the game. Left fielder Austin Anderson was the MVP for Saguaro. Austin hit a two run homerun and then robbed Kevin Cron of a homerun in the top of the 7th. Saguaro has played well against the 5A teams in the Scottsdale Quarterback Tourney. They play Mesquite at home on Saturday at noon.

Arcadia was humbled by Sunnyslope 12-4 in the third game of the Skyline Tournament. The young Titan pitching staff gave up 10 hits and 7 walks, to a disciplined Sunnyslope squad, but was also hurt by a couple of untimely errors. Arcadia nearly erased a 5-run deficit with a rally in the fourth inning highlighted by catcher Eddie Lyons RBI double, but the Vikings answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the game away. Jake MacWilliam (2-4, RBI), Gary Cornish (2-3, RBI), and Eddie Lyon (1-2, 2B, RBI) paced the Titans offensively. The Titans face Nogales Sat. 2/27 at 10:00 am for their final game of the tournament.

Senior Aaron Levy delivered two key hits to drive in three runs and senior Nate Sherman was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double and a run to lead Chaparral to a 7-2, six-inning victory over Gilbert Highland in a Scottsdale Quarterback Club Tournament game at Chaparral on Friday afternoon. Darkness shortened the game by an inning.

The Firebirds also got strong pitching from junior Joey Bielek and senior Will Abram, who pitcher the final three innings and picked up the victory, to move to 3-0 for the season. They play again Saturday at Gilbert.

Highland staked sophomore lefty Cody Moffett to a 2-0 lead in the first on an infield hit by Gentry Kinsella, a walk to D.J. Jones, a single by James Farris, and RBI single by Xavier Corrales and an RBI double by Mike Greening. Corrales had two hits for Highland.

Chaparral scored one each in the first and second to tie the game and took the lead with two runs in the fourth.

In the first, senior Blake Spiekerman scored on a single by Levy. In the second, senior Will Dyer singled up the middle to bring in Bielek. The Firebirds then took control in the fourth on three walks, a wild pitch and a hit batter by reliever Christian Jantze. Levy clinched it in the sixth with a two-run single to left to bring in Joel Hayden, who singled, and James McDonald, who was hit by a pitch.

The Eagles of Sandra Day O'Connor visited Queen Creek on Friday and held on to a 10-9 win despite a nail-bitting comeback attempt by the host Bulldogs. After spotting the Eagles 5 runs in the first, the Dogs battled back to tie it up in the 5th. After getting 5 more over the next 3 innings and taking a 10-5 lead into the seventh, the Eagles threw out the tying run at the dish to end the ball game. Kudos to the umpires for not bagging the game and calling it due to daylight. O'Connor was led by Slattery 3-4 (2 RBI) and Kimmes 2-3, BB. QC had 5 players with multiple hits; Kottcamp 2-4 (3 Runs, 2 SB), Arnett 2-3 (HR, BB, 2 Runs, 2 RBI), Wodiuk 2-4 (2B, RBI), Brzeczek 2-4 (2B, 2 RBI) and Flores 2-4 (RBI).

On Thursday, for the second straight day, Queen Creek played spoiler in the opposing team's home opener. Despite a last inning comeback attempt, QC held on to get the W against a scrappy North Canyon team. The 9-7 game saw Queen Creek scratch 15 hits across and North Canyon made the best of its 8. Dillon Freeman was the winner for the QC, throwing 5 solid innings on 4 hits, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. Spencer Kottcamp kept the hot hand going 2-4 (HR, 3 RBI). Julian Sandoval (2B, BB, HBP), Adam Brzeczek, Matt Schmit (2B), and Nathan Flores (2B) each had a pair of knocks. North Canyon's Walker was a single short of the cycle (3 RBI). Creek's Jason Frost and Canyon's Portacarrero and Burciuga all hit jacks.

Brophy dropped Corona Del Sol 6-1 behind the strong pitching of Sean Maxon. Maxon, AJ Steimel and Kasey Coffman all launched scuds as well.

Desert Ridge defeated Desert Mountain 11-0 in 5 innings (run rule)

Offensive highlights:

Taylor Kaczmarek 2 run HR

Kyle Raidy 2Run HR (2)

Connor Daly 2 Run RBI single and rbi single

Riley Unroe rbi single

SW Warner rbi single

Russell Vaughan bunt single and 2 walks

Austin Cain and Scot Hoffman rbi singles

Defensively:

Taylor Kaczmarek pitched a complete game 5 innings.

Pinnacle won 10-7 over Centennial in a game shortened by darkness to 6 innings in the Cleats 101 classic. Ryan Plantier (3/4 2HRs ) and TC Mark (2/3 HR 3 rbi) led the offensive attack for Pinnacle. Steve Casey also homered for the Pioneers. Kevin Gilmore got the win on the bump working 1.2 innings in relief of starting Pitcher Mike Vaughn. Centennial also hit 2 bombs in the back and forth contest.

Brophy defeated O'Connor 3-0. Kasey Coffman went the distance for Brophy only allowing 4 hits he also helped his cause at the plate hitting a two run homerun. Tyler Doolittle was 2 for 3 for O'Connor.

The Arcadia Titans (2-0) played from behind for the second game in a row before dispatching the Glendale Cardinals 11-1 on day two of the Skyline Tournament at Glendale H.S. After giving up two hits and a run to the Cardinals in the first inning, Arcadia Jr. pitcher Colton Sanchez tossed five hitless innings and struck out 10 for the victory. The Titans struggled to score early and didn't get on the board until the fourth inning when DH Max Schuman laced an RBI triple to right field scoring Jake MacWilliam to even the score at one. In the fifth, Brendan Satran put the Titans ahead with an RBI single scoring Thomas Schellhardt. Andrew Naderer then singled to score Satran, and MacWilliam delivered a deep blast to left field which appeared to hit the light pole for a home run. The umpires ruled otherwise, but MacWilliam still circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run giving the Titans a 5-1 lead. After the first three Titans reached base in the sixth, Satran put the game out of reach with a towering grand slam to left. MacWilliam then singled and scored on an RBI single by Schuman, who ended the day a home run short of the cycle. In the seventh, catcher Eddie Lyon capped the scoring for the Titans with an RBI double that plated Tommy Berridge who had reached on a single. Senior Garth Miracle took over for Sanchez in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order, striking out two. Satran (3-5, 2B, HR(1), 5 RBI), MacWilliam (3-3, HR(1), BB, 2 RBI), and Schuman (3-3, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI) all had three hits for the Titans.

Highland bounced back after a dismal 15-3 drubbing at the hands of Sunrise Mountain with a 10-2 win at Mesa.

Nolan Whittlesey pitched six strong innings despite a strict pitch count, surrendering only one unearned run. Highland broke out the bats after being silenced last night. Gentry Kinsella went 4-5. Whittlesey helped his own cause with two hits including his first ever high school home run. Xavier Corrales chipped in two doubles. Matt Repp and Cody Moffett each had two singles for Highland, which pounded out a total of 14 hits.

Marcos de Niza defeated Goldwater last night in the Tolleson HSD Tournament 7 – 4. Goldwater scored in the first on a single by Trevor Gatewood, a sacrifice bunt by Fred Harvey and a single by Taylor Coppin. Marcos answered in the home half on a walk to Kyle Becerra and a home run to left center by Kendall Konopka. Marcos scored again in the 2^nd on a walk to Bias Alvarez, a single by Daniel Rodriquez, a walk to Konopka and Donovan Evashenko reaching on an error. Goldwater scored a run in the top of the 3^rd on a walk to Harvey, a single by Bennett Schlitz and an RBI single by Matt Gustafson. MdN tallied 4 in the bottom of the 6^th as Becerra reached on an error, Konopka walked, Evashenko plated both on a double to right center. Next, Zach Schira walked and Patrick Maloney plated 2 on a double to left-center. Goldwater closed out the scoring with 2 in the top of the 7^th as Harvey reached on a catcher interference, Coppin and Schlitz reached on errors.

Garrett Taggart got the win for MdN, with Rodriquez and Henry Sanchez finishing up the game. Schlitz went the distance for Goldwater.

Corona's Tyler Garcia worked 6 strong innings and Greg Ryan smacked a walk off double in the bottom of the 10th to send the Aztecs to a 3-2 win at home over Kofa.

Sergio Sanchez put Kofa up early with a solo blast in the top of the first. Corona had trouble advancing runners, hitting into 3 double plays.

CDS trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th when soph Kyle Jorgensen went deep to send the game into extra frames.

Deer Valley 8

Notre Dame 3

Darian Ramage scattered 7 hits while striking out 11 and going the distance to defeat Notre Dame.Ramage also helped his own cause at the plate going 3-4 with 2 triples. Jacob Doyle went 3-4, Jacob Hernandez added a pair of hits and Tyler Cohen blasted a long 2 run homer to complete the Deer Valley offensive highlights. The Saints starting pitcher Chris Watson gave up 4 runs in 4 innings of work and took the loss. Kevin Ryan and Austin Edwards each gave up 2 runs out of the bullpen. Notre Dames offensive highlights included Casey Scott going 3-4 and Joe Luvisi contributing a 2-3 night at the plate.

Sparking a Coronado scoring barrage, senior Tim Stempkowski's opposite field triple off the fence in right center scored the first of a dozen Dons' runs as Coronado defeated Westwood in a run rule-shortened contest, 12-0. Stempkowski added a 400-foot double off the high centerfield fencing in the third to his offensive output. As the Don's starting pitcher, Stempkowski retired fifteen of the sixteen batters he faced, striking out eight, allowing no walks, and recording the fifth one-hit, complete game pitching performance he's turned since fall club season began. Coronado hit well throughout the lineup, with sophomore Houston Edwards among several other Dons who enjoyed multi-hit offensive efforts.

In the nightcap, however, the Dons lost a 6-0 lead in the late innings and bowed to host team Caesar Chavez 7-6, despite a quality start from Coronado senior Austin Hansen. To their credit, Caesar Chavez showed patience and persistence at the plate, driving deep-count fastballs into the outfield gaps to overcome the early game deficit and overtake the Dons. Chavez picked two important Dons' baserunners off the bases, outplaying the Dons both offensively and defensively in the difference-making final frames.

After a poor showing in an 11-2 loss in the season opener vs Liberty, Millenium bounced back with a 10-2 thumping of Mountain Ridge.
Tatum Hendrix did it all. He turned in an impressive 2010 debut, tossing a 3-hitter and going 4-5 at the plate. He recorded 14
strikeouts, including the first 3 hitters and the last 5. Offense besides Tatum was supplied by: James Castro, 3-4 with a 2B and a HR driving in 4 runs. Ty Johnson, 3-4 with a 2B and 2 RBIs, and Tyler Booth, 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs. Most of the offense came against Ridge's ace, Cody Gray as the Tigers scored 6 runs while pounding out 9 of their 15 hits in Gray's 4 innings.

In the opener, the Tigers were cruising along with a 2-1 lead behind starter Austin Hoffman through the first 3 innings, but, after a pitching change to start the 4th inning, Liberty wasted no time in charging into the lead by plating 5 runs in the 4th and 5 more again in the 5th. That outburst seemed to demoralize the Tigers as they provided virtually no offense from that point on.
Give credit to Liberty starter Nathan Bannister, who gave up only 3 hits in his 5 innings of work. He gave up the 2 runs early, but got stronger as the game wore on.

Jordan Hein slides in safely for Chap

Chaparral Gets By Sunrise Mountain

Senior shortstop James McDonald delivered a two-out, three-run homer to left field in fourth inning Thursday to lead visiting Chaparral to a 6-1 victory over Sunrise Mountain in a Scottsdale Quarterback Club Tournament game.

McDonald, a switch-hitter who will play next year for Arizona State, hit the home run right handed a day after he had homered left handed to deep center at Chaparral in a season-opening win over Mesa. Later in the game against Sunrise Mountain, he doubled (left handed) sharply down the right field line.

The Chaparral-Sunrise game generated lots of attention for the pitching matchup of senior right-hander Konner Wade (a University of Arizona signee) against junior left-hander Aaron Bummer. Both performed well. And then sophomore Nick Diamond effectively followed Wade for Chaparral and grabbed his own share of the spotlight.

Wade allowed only two hits and a walk in three innings of work to pick up the victory. Bummer was tough through most of the fourth before he was undone by a pair of errors as much as anything else.

After Chaparral took firm control, Diamond, who was credited with the save, came in for the final four innings and struck out three while scattering four hits. Each time it appeared as if Sunrise Mountain might rally, Diamond made good pitches to quickly end the threat. For Sunrise Mountain, Jerad McDaniel shut down Chaparral over the final three innings, allowing just two hits.

Chaparral took the lead in the third. Bummer hit Diamond, leading off. He then struck out seniors Will Dyer and Joel Hayden and walked McDonald before senior center fielder Blake Spiekerman singled between shortstop and third base to score Diamond from third. Spiekerman finished with two hits.

The fourth inning was decisive. Senior catcher Nate Sherman (Arizona) led off with a single to left. After Wade reached on an error (on an attempted sacrifice bunt) and courtesy runner Jordan Hein stole third, junior Joey Bielek singled to right for Chaparral’s second run. Diamond then singled and senior Will Dyer reached on another error, scoring Bielek and setting the stage for McDonald’s home run.

Sunrise Mountain scored in the fifth on a double by Drew Wolf and a single to center by cleanup hitter Grady Oulton. Leadoff hitter Austin Byler had two hits for Sunrise, both off Wade, including one to center that came at the conclusion of an 11-pitch at bat.

Chaparral, 2-0, faces Gilbert Highland today at home. Sunrise Mountain, 1-1, plays at home against Mesa.

2 good arms on display at Sunrise: Konner Wade (L) and Aaron Bummer

Pinnacle beat Deer Valley on Wednesday to start the 101 Cleats Tournament 4 to 3, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 7th. Senior Jacob Doyle started for Deer Valley and pitched well, leaving in the 6th trailing 3-1. Doyle tied the game in the 7th with a 2 run homer, followed by a double by senior Kyle Herrington. Senior Tyler Cohen had a 3 hit game. Vaughn hit a 2 run homerun for Pinnacle. Steve Casey pitched well for Pinnacle and left with the lead, 3-1.

Desert Mountain celebrated Terry Kellen day as Cam Teich tossed a one-hitter and struck out 6, and Michael Janikis and Adam Sonabend drove in the only runs of the game as the Wolves defeated Mesquite, 2-0, in the opener for both schools.

Kellen, who was a coach and counselor since the school opened in 1995, had his jersey retired in a touching pre-game ceremony before family, friends, students and former players.

Janikis' first inning single scored Austin Mill, who led off the game with a double into the left center gap. Sonabend's double in the third scored Janikis to finish the scoring. Teich's no-hit bid ended with two outs in the 7th as Rocky High singled up the middle. Mesquite starter Garret Jeffries pitched 4 solid innings in defeat, giving up 3 hits and 2 walks to the Wolves.

Garrett Jeffries on the hill for Mesquite (L) while DM's seniors unveil a tribute to Coach Terry Kellen

Preston Hill was Chaparral’s best pitcher for most of last year. The Chandler-Gilbert-bound senior picked up right where he left off in the season-opener Wednesday against visiting Mesa.

Hill retired the first 10 hitters to lead the Firebirds to an 11-0, five-inning victory in a Scottsdale Quarterback Club Tournament game. Hill struck out three and allowed only a single hit in four innings of work so efficient that he needed just 36 pitches.

Chaparral added plenty of firepower, mostly from senior shortstop James McDonald, who has signed Arizona State University, and catcher Nate Sherman, who will play next year at the University of Arizona. McDonald accounted for four of Chaparral’s runs with a double off the right-field fence and a home run to the deepest part of center field. Sherman led off the game with a home run to left and then drove in another run with a single.

Senior right-fielder Joel Hayden and sophomore left-fielder Nick Diamond each added two hits in the 11-hit Chaparral attack. Junior third-baseman Joey Bielek drove in two runs with a pair of deep sacrifices. Senior first baseman Konner Wade, headed to the University of Arizona, contributed a double.

The Firebirds pulled away with four runs and four hits in the third and finished off the Jackrabbits with five more runs and hits in the third, highlighted by McDonald’s long homer, which landed in the center of Gold Dust drive more than 400 feet from home plate.

Chris Pleiter finished the job for Chaparral on the mound. Michael Horton kept Hill from perfection with a single to left in the fourth.

Tournament play continues today for the Firebirds as they travel to Sunrise Mountain. Wade is expected to take the hill.

Marcos de Niza defeated Ironwood last night in the Tolleson HSD Tournament 7 - 5.

MdN started the scoring in the first on a walk to Kyle Becerra and a double to right by Kendall Konopka. In the 3rd, Becerra reached on an error, Konopka singled him over to 2nd, both moved up on a wild pitch, and Zach Schira plated Becerra on a ground-out to 3rd.

Ironwood tied the game in the home half of the 3rd a single by Kelby Holtorf, a BB for Zach Rodgers, and a triple to center by Marshall Peugh. In the 4th, Mdn started the inning with a homer to LC by Patrick Maloney, a double by Cameron Larson, who scored on a grounder by Daniel Rodriquez which was booted. Nick Fatica followed with a single and scored on a walk to Donovan Evashenko.

In the 5th, MdN scored on a double by Maloney and a triple by Rodriquez. Ironwood answered with 2 in the bottom of the 5th on a walk to Brian Mueller, followed by Taylor Acosta who reached on an E, an RBI single by Rodgers, a BB to Candler Thomas and a single by Scott Bolinger. The Padres closed their scoring in the 6th on a single by Konopka and an RBI triple by Evashenko. Ironwood got their last run in the 6th on walks to Mueller, Acosta, Rogers and a single by Peugh. MdN junior T.J Garcia got the win for the Padres pitching 4 innings and striking out 6. Soph Noel Rodriquez threw 1 2/3 innings with 5 K's and senior Jesse Brooks got the save with 3 K's in 1 1/3 innings.

Arcadia overcame a sluggish start defensively to defeat Washington H.S. 12-4 in a Skyline Tournament game at Arcadia. The Titans trailed 4-3 after four innings thanks to three errors and a balk. Washington returned the favor in the fifth when the Titans scored two runs on an error and a wild pitch. The Titans then exploded for six runs in the sixth on an RBI double by Sr. Jake MacWilliam, a two-run single by frosh DH Max Schuman, an RBI single by Tim Janssen, and an RBI triple by Andrew Cerna. Schuman (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), along with sophomores Andrew Naderer (2-4, RBI, 2R) and Brendan Satran (2-5, 2R) tallied
multiple hits for the Titans. Starting pitcher Thomas Schellhardt went four innings and allowed only two hits with five strikeouts.
Sophomore Gary Cornish threw the final three innings, giving up one hit, and striking out four.

Tyler Crawford scattered 3 hits and struck out 8 in his 4 innings of work as Sunrise Mountain drilled Highland 15-3. The Mustangs pounded out 16 hits and the Hawks hurt themselves with 4 errors.

Goldwater defeated Peoria HS 8-3. Junior Jacob Shrank pitched 5 innings giving 3 runs. Junior Austin Motter pitched the final two innings for the save. Bennett Schiltz and Fred Harvey drove in two runs apiece for the Bulldogs.

Trever Allen cranked a 1st inning solo homer and Corona Del Sol exploded for 5 fifth inning runs en route to an 8-1 win over North Canyon. Greg Ryan struck out 9 in 5 solid innings of work. Dominic Portocarrero homered for NC.

Tayler Scott tossed 4 innings of no hit ball and homered at the plate to lead Notre Dame to a 15-1 winover Centennial. David Winn and Joey Greco had multi hit games.

Desert Ridge beat Chandler 10-1.

Scottie Hoffman went 6 innings and Xavier Sotelo closed out the 7th 1-2-3.

Kyle Raidy and Travis Flores both hit 2-run HR's, while Russell Vaughan, Riley Unroe and DW Warner hit doubles. Austin Cain hit 2 hard singles.
D Ridge next plays Desert Mountain at home tomorrow in both teams 2nd game of the Scottsdale QB tourney.

The Queen Creek Bulldogs played spoiler to host Seton Catholic on the opening day of the Adam Donnenfield Tournament by taking out the hosts, 7-0. The Bulldogs had a stellar performance on the bump by Senior Matt Schmit. "Schmitty" went 6 scoreless innings and gave up only 2 hits, while fanning 7 and walking only 1. Spencer Kottcamp swung a big stick, going 3-4 with 3 RBI and a 2B. Julian Sandoval added a pair of knocks (2B, RBI) for QC. Trevor Gleisner was 1-2 (BB) for Seton.

Sunnyslope's Blake Freeman worked 5 innings, striking out 7 and allowing only one earned run as the Vikings defeated Cactus 2-1. Four pitchers for Cactus combined to limit 'slope to 2hits.

If you've been reading this site for any period of time you know that the primary role of the Diamond Notes section is to provide daily game reports on the high school action during the season.

I rely on Coaches and parents to provide info during the season. I'll probably see 120 games again this year, but I can't be everywhere.

Therefore, I'm looking for people to help out here. If you'd like to provide reports for your program please drop me an email to rb@azdiamondreport.com.

I'm very happy to report that Millenium outfielder Tyler Booth has given a verbal commitment to Arizona State to play for the Devils in the 2012 season. Tyler becomes the first in state commit (that I'm aware of) in the 2011 class. He's a fast outfielder who swings it power from the left side of the plate, and one of my favorite guys to watch in the 2011group. He'll be a real threat to traffic on Rural Road during game days.