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San Manuel Miner
After a one-run loss at sixth-ranked Superior on Apr. 17, the fourth-ranked Miners returned to form last week, winning consecutive home games against Globe and Benson.
In the 10 – 7 win last Wednesday versus the Bobcats, sophomore Dionne Ruiz went 4-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Felicia Medina and Nikki Baldenegro each had two hits with every other hitter in the Miners’ lineup having one hit, including Mariah McBride, who had two RBI in the game.
Junior Nicole Encinas pitched a complete game and earned the victory, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and six walks. She struck out two Benson hitters in what was her second win of the season.
The Miners closed out their regular season at third-ranked Ray on Tuesday. The back-to-back state champions will look for a three-peat beginning this weekend in the upcoming state tournament.
Check the AIA website (www.azpreps365.com) for playoff matchups, times, and locations, which will be released later this week.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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