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Panthers’ sophomore Austin Navarrette on the mound as Gage Cruz (9) looks on during a game this season.
Andrew Luberda | Sun
Superior Sun
The 10th-seeded Superior baseball team will face No. 2-seed Ray for the third time this season on Friday, May 8, in the quarterfinals of the Division IV State Championship. The Panthers will be trying to avenge losses in both previous matchups against the Bearcats, including a 7 – 6 setback at home on April 24. The winner of Friday’s game advances to the semi-finals, which will take place at Goodyear Sports Complex on Saturday, May 9.
The Panthers reached Thursday’s quarterfinals after winning its first two games. They defeated No. 22-seed San Pasqual Valley in the first round last Friday in Goodyear, 10 – 3. The next day, the Panthers upset 7th-seeded Northland Prep, 9 – 5.
Senior starting pitcher Rickey Longoria was outstanding against Northland Prep last Saturday, allowing three runs – only one earned – on six hits and five walks in six-and-two-thirds innings pitched. He struck out nine Spartans hitters in what was his eighth win of the year. He earned Player of the Game honors for his effort.
The Panthers were led offensively by Elias Olmos, Edgar Galindo and Austin Navarrette who each had two hits in the win. Senior Eric Oatis went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Four Panthers had extra-base hits against the Spartans, which included doubles by Joseph Diaz-Gonzales, Olmos and Longoria. Galindo hit a triple.
Friday’s game versus Ray is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the winner scheduled to play at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
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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