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Senior Brianna Madrid heading for the ball. Photo by Ashley Madrid
San Manuel senior Dionne Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBI while her junior teammate Nikki Baldenegro pitched a complete-game two-hitter, leading the No. 6-seeded Lady Miners to a 6 – 2 first-round victory against No. 11 Kingman Academy last Friday at the Rose Mofford Softball Complex.
Ruiz, a South Mountain Community College commit, was one of two Lady Miners to have three hits in the 2017 2A State Championship Tournament game. Gabriella Estrada, a freshman, also has three hits. Senior Daniela Guerrero and Cassandra Guererro, a junior, had two hits apiece in the win. Daniela drove in two runs in addition to her pair of hits.
Sara (Nikki) Baldenegro pitches another win. Photo by Ashley Madrid
Baldenegro improved to 18 – 8 after earning the victory, in which she allowed two runs – only one earned – on two hits with 16 strikeouts and a walk.
With the win, San Manuel will play No. 3-seeded Morenci on Friday, May 5 at the Rose Mofford Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Visit www.azpreps365.com to view the complete bracket.
Danielle Guerrero getting ready to run. Photo by Ashley Madrid
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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