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| Big hitter: Stephanie Ramirez is congratulated on Friday after a big performance against one of the top four teams in the state. (Dave Broen/Photo.) |
Ramirez twins pave the way in 11-1 triumph
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Stacey and Stephanie Ramirez made it look easy against the tough 2A East Conference opponent Willcox on Friday, as the twins combined for four hits, two runs and five RBIs in the Bobcats' dominating 11-1 victory.
Many expected a close game against the conference's best, but instead Benson took care of business.
With two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, Stacey Ramirez popped a triple to left center to bring home two runners and end the game due to the Arizona Interscholastic Association 10-run mercy rule.
After the game, Stacey said she was just trying to focus on getting a hit.
"I was struggling, and just kept telling myself I could do better with the next hit," she said. "Before the pitch I was looking at the gap and knew I could do it. To win like this is good because they are a good team that I know will be waiting for us in the rematch."
Stacey went 2 for 4 with a run, a triple and two RBIs. Her sister Stephanie was 2 for 3 with a run, 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.
Stephanie really opened things up for the Bobcats in the third inning when she hit home two runners, and headed to third based on a controversial play to give the Bobcats a 6-0 lead.
"I was a little down after striking out earlier in the game," Stephanie said. "My coaches told me to relax and I took a deep breath before that triple."
Willcox's only run came in the fifth off a home run.
Pitcher Kayla Haro went the distance for the Bobcats, allowing one run, one hit, a walk and racking up seven strikeouts in the conference win.
Following the victory, the junior pitcher said it felt good to beat a rival.
"I think our younger girls really came through for us today," she said. "This win feels good, and we played a great game."
Alex Cooper also had a big day, going 2 for 3, with 2 runs, 2 doubles and 2 RBIs and Haro was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
"Our girls were able to keep this game in perspective and didn't allow the hype and talk to distract them from the task at hand," said Coach Manny Ellsworth. "They understand that, win or lose, each game is just one step closer to our ultimate goal. A win over a rival is always a positive step. Willcox is one of the top four teams in the state, and this win has allowed our girls to realize that they can compete with anyone if they play their game."
Ellsworth said the Lady Bobcats will have to travel to Willcox for a rematch in two weeks, and he has no doubt the rival team will be ready to play.
"We have to be prepared," he said. "Our girls cannot take them lightly. It should be a typical Benson-Willcox battle regardless of the outcome."
Earlier in the week the Bobcats barely edged out Thatcher in a 9-8 conference victory.
The win gave the Bobcats a 2-0 conference record and an 8-2 record overall.
Against the Eagles, after three scoreless innings, Benson struck first in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead, and going into the seventh, led 7-2, when Thatcher made things interesting, scoring six runs.
"This was a great test for both teams," Ellsworth said. "Fortunately, our girls did not panic, believed in themselves, and weathered the storm to capture the victory.
Coach Ernie Batten said it was an exciting game and that the Bobcats had total control until the final inning.
"Mother Nature made her presence felt in this game as there was rain, hail and frigid winds," he said. "The conditions made it tough on the pitchers for both teams, but we were able to rally back."
Batten said Thatcher is a scrappy team that took advantage of the opportunity the Bobcats gave them.
"We also did a solid job of combating the wind gusts that took a lot of routine fly balls a lot farther than they looked to be," Batten said. "This was a memorable game due to the weather and our hitting. Overall, we survived and that is what counts."
Haro earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing six runs, four earned on six hits with five walks and eight strikeouts.
Stacey Ramirez led the Bobcats on offense, going 4 for 5 with two runs and a stolen base. Chelsey Layton was 3 for 4 with a run and a sacrifice and Kasey Fenn was 3 for 4.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Stacey and Stephanie Ramirez made it look easy against the tough 2A East Conference opponent Willcox on Friday, as the twins combined for four hits, two runs and five RBIs in the Bobcats' dominating 11-1 victory.
Many expected a close game against the conference's best, but instead Benson took care of business.
With two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, Stacey Ramirez popped a triple to left center to bring home two runners and end the game due to the Arizona Interscholastic Association 10-run mercy rule.
After the game, Stacey said she was just trying to focus on getting a hit.
"I was struggling, and just kept telling myself I could do better with the next hit," she said. "Before the pitch I was looking at the gap and knew I could do it. To win like this is good because they are a good team that I know will be waiting for us in the rematch."
Stacey went 2 for 4 with a run, a triple and two RBIs. Her sister Stephanie was 2 for 3 with a run, 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.
Stephanie really opened things up for the Bobcats in the third inning when she hit home two runners, and headed to third based on a controversial play to give the Bobcats a 6-0 lead.
"I was a little down after striking out earlier in the game," Stephanie said. "My coaches told me to relax and I took a deep breath before that triple."
Willcox's only run came in the fifth off a home run.
Pitcher Kayla Haro went the distance for the Bobcats, allowing one run, one hit, a walk and racking up seven strikeouts in the conference win.
Following the victory, the junior pitcher said it felt good to beat a rival.
"I think our younger girls really came through for us today," she said. "This win feels good, and we played a great game."
Alex Cooper also had a big day, going 2 for 3, with 2 runs, 2 doubles and 2 RBIs and Haro was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
"Our girls were able to keep this game in perspective and didn't allow the hype and talk to distract them from the task at hand," said Coach Manny Ellsworth. "They understand that, win or lose, each game is just one step closer to our ultimate goal. A win over a rival is always a positive step. Willcox is one of the top four teams in the state, and this win has allowed our girls to realize that they can compete with anyone if they play their game."
Ellsworth said the Lady Bobcats will have to travel to Willcox for a rematch in two weeks, and he has no doubt the rival team will be ready to play.
"We have to be prepared," he said. "Our girls cannot take them lightly. It should be a typical Benson-Willcox battle regardless of the outcome."
Earlier in the week the Bobcats barely edged out Thatcher in a 9-8 conference victory.
The win gave the Bobcats a 2-0 conference record and an 8-2 record overall.
Against the Eagles, after three scoreless innings, Benson struck first in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead, and going into the seventh, led 7-2, when Thatcher made things interesting, scoring six runs.
"This was a great test for both teams," Ellsworth said. "Fortunately, our girls did not panic, believed in themselves, and weathered the storm to capture the victory.
Coach Ernie Batten said it was an exciting game and that the Bobcats had total control until the final inning.
"Mother Nature made her presence felt in this game as there was rain, hail and frigid winds," he said. "The conditions made it tough on the pitchers for both teams, but we were able to rally back."
Batten said Thatcher is a scrappy team that took advantage of the opportunity the Bobcats gave them.
"We also did a solid job of combating the wind gusts that took a lot of routine fly balls a lot farther than they looked to be," Batten said. "This was a memorable game due to the weather and our hitting. Overall, we survived and that is what counts."
Haro earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing six runs, four earned on six hits with five walks and eight strikeouts.
Stacey Ramirez led the Bobcats on offense, going 4 for 5 with two runs and a stolen base. Chelsey Layton was 3 for 4 with a run and a sacrifice and Kasey Fenn was 3 for 4.
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| Girls take first in home meet; boys fourth |
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