Badgers Ball Teams Sweep Coconino

Photo: Travis Gates had a big bat and a strong arm in the Badgers 8-2 win

Varsity Baseball

It was a big day for senior Travis Gates who had a pair of hits with 4 RBIs, including belting a two run homer in the second inning and also was solid on the mound as he pitched his way for the win. Gates only gave up one run on four hits in five innings of work while striking out six to lead the Badgers to a 8-2 win over the Coconino Panthers. 

Gates said, “I came out today and I was ready to get it done. I wanted to do it on both sides of the ball and we were able to get some runs early and I was able to keep them in check for five. Being able to hit a home run and getting a double to add to our lead kept me relaxed knowing I just had to go challenge them. I felt good out there and gave us a good five and then kind of ran out of gas.”

Photo: Kaden Lampe slides into third safely in the 4th inning

Gates’ second inning blast over the left center field fence put the Badgers up 5-0. He added a two run double to that for a 7-1 lead in the 4th. Kaden Lampe pitched the final two innings as the Badgers improved to (4-0) in the Grand Canyon Region and (11-5) overall. 

Coach Jason Hutchens said, “Always good to sweep a region team. I was happy with the overall play. We just need to clean up some baserunning mistakes because a really good team is going to make you pay for those mistakes. We are continuing to improve with our hitting and fielding along with our pitching.”

Shortstop Nick Martin said, “Another good day for us and always good to get a season sweep. Coming off that game at Chase Field we still had plenty of energy out to get the win.” Martin was referring to the Badgers game Tuesday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, where the Badgers beat Coconino 4-2. “That was awesome. It took a little bit to settle down and get focused, but we did and got the win.” Hutchens and gates echoed similar settlements. Gates said, “Getting to play in an MLB park is something I will never forget. Hutchens said, “That was an awesome experience for all of us. I hope we can do it again next year.”

Prescott will host Bradshaw Mountain on Monday at  3pm.

PRESCOTT BADGERS 8, COCONINO PANTHERS 2

Innings-         123  456  7  –   R     H      E

Coconino       001  001  0  –   2      5      3

Prescott         320  210  X  –   8     11     0

WP:Gates (3-2)

LP:Guinan

GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS

School                        W-L       W-L

Prescott                       4-0       11-5

Bradshaw Mountain    1-0         3-11

Mingus                        1-1         8-7

Flagstaff                      0-0         5-4

Lee Williams               1-2         6-7

Coconino                    1-3         5-12

Mohave                       0-2         0-10

SCOREBOARD

Prescott 8, Coconino 2

St. Mary’s 13, Bradshaw Mountain 2

Mogollon 12, Bagdad 1

Varsity Softball

Prescott swept the Coconino Panthers with a 4-2 win at home on Tuesday, and a 6-5 road win yesterday. The Badgers had to hold on in the seventh inning both times as the Panthers threatened a comeback. 

Photo: 1 Kaylin Pinarelli is leading the Badgers with 16 hits and 13 RBIs

Freshman Kaylin Pinarelli had three hits, including a triple and four RBIs to lead the offense and did her part in the circle pitching 6.2 innings allowing only three earned runs before giving way to Madison Ballou who got the final out to secure the win. Ballou won the first game on Tuesday pitching a complete game.

Coach Randall Bryan said, “We continue to find ways to win. Things get a little rough some times but the team did a good job of keeping it together to get the win.”

Shortstop Lilly James said, “We are playing really good this year. We have good communication and are working together as a team. I have been on varsity for three years now and this is the first time we beat Coconino.”

Photo: 3 Olivia Butler slides into 3rd base

Freshman sensations, Olivia Butler and Kaylin Pinarelli are both batting over .500 and are one and two in the RBI department. Pinarelli is also getting it done in the circle with a 2.03 ERA in 20.2 innings of work.

Prescott had lost 8 straight to Coconino with the last Badgers win coming in a 5-4 win in 8 innings on April 10, 2021.

The Badgers, winners of four in a row, sit alone in first place at (3-0) and will travel to Prescott Valley on Monday to face second place Bradshaw Mountain at 4pm.

PRESCOTT BADGERS 6, COCONINO PANTHERS 5

Innings-           123  456  7  –   R      H      E

Prescott           102  110  1  –   6       7      3

Coconino         010  200  2  –   5       6      4

WP:Pinarelli

LP:N/A

GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS

School-                        W-L      W-L

Prescott                        3-0        8-3

Bradshaw Mountain     2-1        6-3

Coconino                      2-2      11-5

Lee Williams                 2-2       5-6

Mohave                        1-1        7-8

Flagstaff                        0-0       8-3

Mingus                          0-4       2-10

SCOREBOARD

Prescott 6, Coconino 5

Bradshaw Mountain 17, St. Mary’s 13

Lee Williams 10, Mingus 0