The No. 2-ranked Ray baseball team wants to end its season the same way defending champion Superior ended last year. The Bearcats showed they are a contender for the Panthers’ crown, holding off a late Superior comeback in a 6 – 5 victory last Tuesday.
The seventh-ranked Panthers trailed 6 – 2 before plating three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Ray junior Jaden Pace had two of the Cats’ seven hits in the game, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. The teams combined to reach base 15 times via a walk.
The Cats used four pitchers who combined to fan 13 Superior hitters. Freshman Derek Figueroa whiffed six, starter Richard Valenzuela fanned five in an inning and a 1/3.
Superior junior Kale Major went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. He accounted for two of the Panthers’ four hits. Steven Ybarra, another junior, also doubled and had two RBI.
Ybarra, who started on the bump, took the loss, allowing five runs – two earned – on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Major, who appeared in relief, allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
Ray up next: Apr. 12 at Hayden and Apr. 13 at San Manuel. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m.
Superior up next: Apr. 12 at Ft. Thomas, Apr. 13 vs. San Tan Foothills, and Apr. 17 vs. Hayden. All games are scheduled for 4 p.m.