Citizen Staff Writer
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP
JESSIE VANDERSON
jvander@tucsoncitizen.com
One month has made a world of difference for the Pueblo High School softball team.
In action at the Badger Invitational last month Catalina Foothills clubbed the Warriors 12-0.
Since then, the Warriors have improved and gave visiting Foothills a tough game Friday before losing 2-1 in Class 4A Sonoran Region play.
“We pulled things together and played well,” Pueblo shortstop Bianca Llanez said.
The game was tied at 1 before Foothills scored the eventual-winning run in the top of the seventh when Aubry Baldwin drilled a hit that scored McKenna St. Onge.
In the second, the Falcons (9-6) capitalized on two singles, a walk and a throwing error to push across a run against Pueblo starting right-hander Maricela Borquez, and take a 1-0 lead with one out.
The Warriors’ ace settled down with the bases loaded, and avoided more trouble by retiring the side.
“I worked my pitches outside a little more than the last time we played them,” Borquez said.
Pueblo (10-8) got the attention of the visitors in the bottom of the sixth.
Right fielder Jessica Valenzuela singled, was forced at second by Llanez, but a triple by Cynthia Quintero against Falcons ace Missy Rambow scored Llanez.
“These girls have got a lot of heart,” Pueblo coach Jeff Smith said.
Rambow allowed five hits while going the distance to earn the win.
Borquez, who gave up eight hits, also pitched a complete game.
“We realized we really needed to step it up,” Rambow said. “We took that challenge and I think that’s why we won.
“We definitely had some clutch hitters.”
Cooper ties mark
Catalina shortstop Shaun Cooper tied the career 4A baseball home run record Friday, belting his 33rd career homer in a win over Sahuarita.
He tied Nick Cadena from Glendale Apollo, who hit 33 home runs from 1999-2001.
Cooper has 10 homers this season.
Catalina scored eight runs in the first inning to defeat Sahuarita 16-5 in the 4A Gila Region game.
RAYMOND SUAREZ
rsuarez@tucsoncitizen.com