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Baseball off to 1-6 start
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| Wind up: Corey Graf mans the pitchers' mound in the Bobcats' earlier season contest. Graf, a senior, is expected to be one of the team's leaders for 2009. (David Brown photo) |
Thelma Grimes
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
The Benson Bobcats' baseball team has had a tough start to the 2009 season with a lot of young players and some seniors getting back into form.
Playing seven games already, the Bobcats have fallen to 1-6, with the lone win of the season coming against Valley Union in the home opener.
After scoring four runs in the first inning, the Bobcats held on for a 6-3 victory.
Carlos Ravago pitched the victory, with Daniel Naegle coming on in relief for the final three innings.
On offense, Grant McCune went 2-3 with 2 RBIs and Nathan East was 1-3 with one RBI.
"Our pitchers threw well," said Coach Ernie Meza. "We worked ahead in the count and threw strikes. We hit the ball well with runners in scoring position."
However, with the lone highlight, the young Bobcats' team have gone on to lose some tough games in the Safford and Bisbee baseball tournaments.
The Bobcats' defense continues to struggle, allowing five teams to score in the double digits so far this season.
In several of the games, Meza has commented that while pitchers are getting the job done, the defense needs to work harder at making routine plays.
In a 16-3 loss to Blue Ridge, Meza said the physical talent for the Bobcats is present, but they still need to work on the mental aspect of the game.
Offensively, Meza said the Bobcats are going to need to be more aggressive on 2-0 and 1-0 counts.
Last week the Bobcats continued to struggle on defense, losing 11-3 to 3A Empire. Giving up seven runs in the first inning dug a hole the Bobcats couldn't climb out of.
In more tournament play, the Bobcats got a glimpse of what 2A East Conference competition will be like this season, losing 9-7 to Tombstone.
Last season, the Bobcats finished 4-9 in conference play, and were 8-17 overall. Meza feels that when the conference play gets under way next week, the Bobcats have the talent and the ability to be competitive.
"I think we will be right up there," Meza said. "The majority of the teams in the conference were senior loaded. That means they will be of somewhat the caliber we were last year, young and inexperienced. So, I think being we have experience from last year's team puts us in a good position to be successful come conference play."
After losing only three seniors last season, the Bobcats have several strong returners hitting the diamond in 2009, including Graf brothers Corey and Kyle. Corey Graf, a senior, is taking on duties as both a pitcher and a catcher.
Meza said Ravago and Shane Rivera are also two players he expects to have breakout seasons.
Adding depth to the team, the Bobcats have seniors Brady Fenn and Nathan East coming out. The two were not on the 2008 squad. East competed in track, and Fenn in golf.
Naegle and Brian Tibbitts are also promising new prospects to the team.
With a strong group of players, Meza said the team's strengths are definitely chemistry and quality athletes.
During spring break, the Bobcats took on Tombstone on Tuesday, however, results were not available at press time. Next Tuesday the Bobcats will host Morenci at 4 p.m.
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
The Benson Bobcats' baseball team has had a tough start to the 2009 season with a lot of young players and some seniors getting back into form.
Playing seven games already, the Bobcats have fallen to 1-6, with the lone win of the season coming against Valley Union in the home opener.
After scoring four runs in the first inning, the Bobcats held on for a 6-3 victory.
Carlos Ravago pitched the victory, with Daniel Naegle coming on in relief for the final three innings.
On offense, Grant McCune went 2-3 with 2 RBIs and Nathan East was 1-3 with one RBI.
"Our pitchers threw well," said Coach Ernie Meza. "We worked ahead in the count and threw strikes. We hit the ball well with runners in scoring position."
However, with the lone highlight, the young Bobcats' team have gone on to lose some tough games in the Safford and Bisbee baseball tournaments.
The Bobcats' defense continues to struggle, allowing five teams to score in the double digits so far this season.
In several of the games, Meza has commented that while pitchers are getting the job done, the defense needs to work harder at making routine plays.
In a 16-3 loss to Blue Ridge, Meza said the physical talent for the Bobcats is present, but they still need to work on the mental aspect of the game.
Offensively, Meza said the Bobcats are going to need to be more aggressive on 2-0 and 1-0 counts.
Last week the Bobcats continued to struggle on defense, losing 11-3 to 3A Empire. Giving up seven runs in the first inning dug a hole the Bobcats couldn't climb out of.
In more tournament play, the Bobcats got a glimpse of what 2A East Conference competition will be like this season, losing 9-7 to Tombstone.
Last season, the Bobcats finished 4-9 in conference play, and were 8-17 overall. Meza feels that when the conference play gets under way next week, the Bobcats have the talent and the ability to be competitive.
"I think we will be right up there," Meza said. "The majority of the teams in the conference were senior loaded. That means they will be of somewhat the caliber we were last year, young and inexperienced. So, I think being we have experience from last year's team puts us in a good position to be successful come conference play."
After losing only three seniors last season, the Bobcats have several strong returners hitting the diamond in 2009, including Graf brothers Corey and Kyle. Corey Graf, a senior, is taking on duties as both a pitcher and a catcher.
Meza said Ravago and Shane Rivera are also two players he expects to have breakout seasons.
Adding depth to the team, the Bobcats have seniors Brady Fenn and Nathan East coming out. The two were not on the 2008 squad. East competed in track, and Fenn in golf.
Naegle and Brian Tibbitts are also promising new prospects to the team.
With a strong group of players, Meza said the team's strengths are definitely chemistry and quality athletes.
During spring break, the Bobcats took on Tombstone on Tuesday, however, results were not available at press time. Next Tuesday the Bobcats will host Morenci at 4 p.m.
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