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The San Manuel softball team defeated the 2016 Division V State Champions last Friday, 5 – 3. It was Lady Cats’ first loss of the season after starting with three-straight victories.
San Manuel scored at least one run in four different innings and held a 4 – 0 lead until Ray scored three runs in the fifth.
Tara Lorona, a sophomore, went 2-for-4 with two RBI in defeat. Ema Alverado, a senior, hit a triple in the game. Junior Janae Ruiz had two hits in the loss.
Daniella Hinojos took the loss despite pitching well enough to win. The sophomore starter pitched six innings and allowed five runs but only two were earned. She fanned six Lady Miners’ hitters and walked only one.
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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