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Superior’s Joseph Diaz-Gonzales (12) shows good hitting form.
Andrew Luberda | Sun
Panthers’ sophomore Austin Navarrette on the mound as Gage Cruz (9) looks on.
Andrew Luberda | Sun
Superior Sun
After going 3 – 1 to finish first in their pool during last week’s Joe S. Padilla Tournament, the Panthers took on then undefeated Combs in the first round of the winner’s bracket at Florence High School last Saturday. The Coyotes extended their season-opening winning streak with an 8 – 1 victory over the Panthers in game that ended in the fourth inning due to the tournament’s 90-minute time limit.
The Coyotes scored two runs in the first off Panthers’ starter Austin Navarrette, who was one of three pitchers used in the game by head coach Manuel Ortega. Jesse Lopez and Steven Denogean were the other pitchers who made pitching appearances for the Panthers.
The Panthers scored their lone run in the second inning, using hits by Denogean, Jesse Lopez, and an RBI-single from Andrew Lopez to score the run.
“I know our defense is solid,” Panthers’ sophomore Nicolaus Cruz said after the game about his team’s performance. “What we really need to work on right now is our hitting.”
“In the beginning of the season we came out stroking and all of sudden we just slumped,” he continued. “But if there is any time to slump it’s in a (preseason) tournament.”
Combs scored a run in the third and five more in the fourth before the game was called due to the time limit restriction.
Despite the loss, the Panthers showed well in the tournament, which featured teams mostly in Division III, one higher than Superior. Their losses came against Bisbee and Combs, both state playoff teams a year ago.
The Panthers know the experience of playing teams in a division higher will benefit them down the road.
“Definitely,” Cruz responded in agreement. “We showed we can bang with anyone and it gives us some respect.”
Cruz, who showed he’s ready for the season after pitching week in the 4 – 3 loss earlier in the week against Bisbee, figures to be one of the top players in the division this season.
The Panthers will play at Duncan on Mar. 12 (3:30 p.m.) before a one-week break in their schedule.
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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