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Superior Panthers
The Superior baseball team is at the top of the state rankings as of Apr. 9 despite having its 10-game winning streak snapped with an opening-round loss to Phoenix Christian last Thursday in the Chandler Prep Baseball Classic, which took place Apr. 6 – 8.
Panthers followed the loss with a pair of wins against Scottsdale Prep and Globe.
In their rivalry game at Ray on Apr. 4, the Panthers scored eight runs in the first inning, and nine runs combined in three of the next four, on their way to a lopsided 17 – 7 victory in the first of two meetings between the teams this season.
Sophomore Jesus Castellanos had three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Panthers’ offense. Nicolaus Cruz doubled and had two RBI in the win. Junior Marcos Bueno had a hit and two RBI as well.
Starter Kale Major was one of three Panthers’ pitchers used in the game and earned the win without being at his best. The sophomore, who leads the Panthers in wins, surrendered three earned runs on five hits in two and two-thirds innings pitched. Edgar Galindo and Cruz came on in relief.
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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