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Ramon Ruiz tags a Pima player out at second base. Brandon Garibay watches from the outfield.
M. Schofield | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
After a full week off since they defeated eighth-ranked Ray on Apr. 4, the fourth-ranked Miners’ baseball team lost to Pima last Friday, 4 – 3. It was their first loss in seven sectional games so far this season.
Pima freshman pitcher Travis James pitched a complete game to earn the win. He limited the Miners to three runs on five hits. The Miners entered the game having scored 12 runs or more in each of their past four games, all wins.
The Roughriders handed the Miners only their second loss in the past 10 games and, in the process, ended the Miners four-game winning streak.
The schedule down the stretch is tough for the Miners, including back-to-back games versus the surging and 14th-ranked Panthers this week. Four of their next five opponents, including top-ranked Desert Christian, are currently ranked in the top 14 by the AIA.
Upcoming schedule: Apr. 16 @ Superior, Apr. 18 vs. Superior, Apr. 22 @ Globe, Apr. 23 vs. Miami. The game at Globe begins at 4:00 p.m. All other games are scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
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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