Sports News May 13, 2009

Fantastic Pitching Leads Tigers to State Semi-Finals, By M. Casillas

Pictured Left: Gabe Valtierra pitches a perfect game in Globe's first playoff match-up on Friday. Brady Wager throws during a tournament earlier this season. Globe senior, Gabe Valtierra, picked a great time to pitch the best game of the season, as he and the Tigers easily advanced past Monument Valley in the first round of the 3A State Baseball playoffs on Friday. The Tigers pounded out 19 runs, but even the double-digit offensive output couldn’t outshine the outstanding pitching performance by Valtierra, who threw a perfect game, allowing no hits, no walks, and no runs in five innings of work for the Tigers. Valtierra did everything right on the mound, working his way through the opposing lineup with ease, striking out 11 batters, while also trusting his defense to make plays behind him with well located pitches. The lights out pitching and overwhelming offensive display put on by Globe, spelled a long night for the Mustangs, who bowed out of the first round in a 19-0 Tiger win. With the victory, Globe advanced into the second round where they faced a familiar Show Low Cougar team. Show Low defeated Globe at home by a score of 4-6 on April 25. Despite the fact that he was hit hard by the Cougars in the loss, Globe sent senior, Brady Wager to the mound. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Kyle Quioz hit an RBI triple, scoring Billy Kidd from first base. Kidd was on base after taking a walk to begin the inning. After the Quioz triple, Senior Vince Buzan came to the plate. Buzan hit a chopper to second base allowing Quioz to score from third, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. The two-run cushion would be all Wager would need, as he protected that lead behind a complete game, two hit, shutout victory. With the win, Globe advances to the semi-final round of the tournament, just one win from playing for a State Championship. Standing in the Tigers' way is #2 seeded, Chino Valley, who eliminated Globe from the playoffs in the second round of last year's tournament. "Chino Valley is a solid team. They pulled off 20 consecutive wins this season, so we are expecting a hard fought battle," said Head Coach David Lopez. When asked about the added pressure of playing the team that ended their season last year, Coach says, "there is no extra pressure, we understand what is at stake and we intend to continue playing our style of baseball." Brady Wager has already been announced as the starting pitcher in the game. #2 Chino Valley Vs. #3 Globe Tigers ** Friday, May 15 - 3:00 p.m. Surprise Baseball Stadium **

Miami Tops #1 St. Johns Before Falling to Region Foe, By M. Casillas

Pictured:Senior, C.J. Young rounds second after hitting a double in the team's first round playoff game on Friday. Miami Baseball pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament on Friday, as the team that wasn't expected to make the playoffs, took down the North Region’s #1 seed, St. Johns, in the first round of the 2A State Baseball Playoffs on Friday. Miami got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning, when senior, C.J. Young, hit an RBI double, scoring fellow senior, Derek Andrade from second. St. Johns would respond in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs to take a 1-3 lead over the Vandals. Miami was able to climb within a run in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Brandon Norcross. The team then took the lead for good in the top of the seventh and final inning, as they were able to plate three runs on three Redskin errors to go up 6-3. St. Johns was able to get runners on second and third, but the last at-bat rally fell short, as Miami advanced into the second round of play. In the second round, Miami faced 2A South Region opponent, San Manuel. Miami was unable to beat the Miners in two regular season games, and that trend continued in the playoffs, as the Vandals were eliminated by the Miners by a score of 1-10. Junior, pitcher/first baseman, Tim Stapleton had the lone RBI in the game for the Vandals. Despite not reaching the ultimate goal of winning a State Championship, Coach, Brandon Norcross, should be proud of himself, his staff and his team for refusing to throw in the towel, when the roster was depleted by injuries towards the end of the season. The Vandals surpassed all expectations, and are a rather young team with plenty to look forward to next season.

Early Exit for MHS Doubles Team

Miami Tennis’ lone State qualifiers, Courtney Canez and Ariel Asermelly, were eliminated in the first round of competition on Friday. The Junior doubles team, struggled in the match, losing 4-6,1-6 to a good Phoenix Country Day team. The good news is that both players will have a good chance of making it back to the State Tournament next year as seniors.

Lady Tigers One and Done, by Monika K. Valencia/M. Casillas

Pictured:Globe's Sara Rodriguez bats against Sedona Red Rock during the State Playoffs on Friday. A very good season came to an end on Friday, as the Lady Tigers suffered a disappointing first-round loss in the 3A State playoffs. Globe, who entered the tournament as the #11 seed, was unable to overcome a very good Sedona Red Rock team, losing in a thriller, by a score of 2-3. Globe came out strong, scoring the first run of the game, after Jessica King was able to advance to third base on Sedona throwing errors. King later crossed the plate, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Red Rock quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run to the tie the game at 1-1. After another Tiger run in the second, Sedona again tied the game at 2-2 when they scored in the bottom of the third. Despite the early offensive output, there would be just one more run scored in the game. The crucial run came off the bat of the Red Rock pitcher, who smashed a solo home run to right field in the fifth inning. That run would prove to be huge, as Globe was unable to answer in their final two at bats, giving Red Rock a 2-3 victory. Red Rock went on to lose to Winslow in the second round by a score of 0-11. The following Lady Tiger softball players were recognized for their performance this season: Breanna Marez and Kayla Valenzuela were named First Team All-Conference, Brooke Horta earned Second Team honors, while Laura Del La Cruz and Jamie Barrick were given an Honorable Mention.

Miami Volleyball Camp June 15 - 18

Miami High School Volleyball Program will be holding Summer Volleyball Camp for youth in the community. The camp will be held at Miami High School on June 15-18. Registration will begin Monday, June 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Hall of Fame Coach, Cherry Roberds, and her staff will be coaching two camps for beginner age groups (4th grade through 7th grade) and advanced age groups (8th grade through 12th). The camps will take place in both the Lee Kornegay and Miami High School gyms. Cost for the week will be $50.00. If there are multiple members of the same family the price will be reduced for each additional family, member. Parents or guardians must sign a registration and medical release form before the camper will be allowed to participate. Don’t forget to bring your own knee pads if you have them. Please make all checks out to Miami High School Volleyball. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Coach Roberds at 928 - 473 - 4165, or Joy Wilson at 928 - 812 - 8213. Monday - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (registration) - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drills & team play). Tuesday - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (registration) - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drills & team play). Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drills & team play). Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (drills & team play). - 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Camp Tournament & serving contest).