The #22 Safford Bulldogs knocked off #11 Blue Ridge in the 3A baseball “play-in” round 8-5 to solidify their spot in the 3A State Tournament. It was the third time the Bulldogs beat the Jackets this season, two of them coming the last week. Safford scored 3 runs in to the top of the first thanks to a triple from sophomore Edwardo Ogas and the Dogs never trailed after that. Senior Justin Sanchez did the rest on the hill and at one point let 8-3 before a brief comeback in the 7th by Blue Ridge. Safford will be the #15 seed and will play #2 American Leadership – Queen Creek on Friday at 6:30pm at the Surprise Sports Complex.
#4 Thatcher had to wait to find out who their opponent would be as they got a play-in bye. They will take on #13 St. Augustine from Tucson. The Wolves downed San Manuel in the play in game, 4-0. Thatcher has been off since their season finale on April 25th. The game will be at 6:30pm May 3rd at the Goodyear Sports Complex.
#10 Morenci made quick work of #23 Pima at home in the play-in game, beating them 11-1 in 5 innings behind a masterful pitching performance my Desmond Sandoval. He needed just 58 pitches for the complete game. The Cats will take on 2A East foe, #7 Benson, in the first round at 4pm Friday, May 3rd at the Goodyear Sports Complex. Morenci and Benson split their two regular season meetings.
Both Safford and Thatcher played in the toughest divisions in the state. Every team in the 2A East made at least the play-in round with #3 Bisbee, #7 Benson, #4 Thatcher, #16 Tombstone and #10 Morenci playing in the 2A State Tournament. In the 3A South all but two teams made the tournament and #23 Catalina and #22 Safford both beat higher ranked teams in the play-in round. #4 Sahuarita, #6 Sabino, #15 Safford and #16 Catalina are now seeded in the 3A State Tournament.
You can hear Friday’s Safford vs ALA-QC game live on KATO 1230 AM or online by clicking here.
