The Grants High School boys’ baseball team continues with their success after double-digit wins last week. On Tuesday, April 12, the Pirates earned a win in the big district game against the Belen Eagles (10-8, 2-2) by a score of 11-1. The Pirates had a good balance of offense and defense in that crucial district game. “We hit the ball well and we surprised them with a new pitcher,” said Grants High School head coach, Walter Sarracino.
On the mound for the Pirates was stand-out eighth grade pitcher, Estevan Barela, who pitched a good five inning game, allowing six hits, one earned run and six strikeouts with an ERA of 1.40. “He did not show any signs of pressure---Belen had no clue on his pitching,” said Sarracino.
On offense the Pirates scored a run in the first and second quarter, then came alive in the third quarter, scoring 10 runs. Scoring RBI’s for the Pirates: Dominick Gonzales with three, Tyler Everhart and Markos Garcia with two apiece, and Maurico Chavez, Andres Lopez, Nick Bustos and Gabriel Marquez with one apiece. “We have been rotating pitchers and have been more selective on battingnot playing with pressure to hit the ball; we have had a lot of 3-2 counts and had no pressure to hit the ball,” said Sarracino.
“I think we are in a good spot-I like where we’re at,” said Sarracino about the team’s recent success. The Pirates played Highland High School on Friday, April 15 in an away district game and dominated the Hornets from the get-go as they scored five runs to zero for the Hornets through the first three innings. The Hornets managed one run in the third inning and after that the Pirates opened the floodgates with 11 runs in the fourth inning followed by seven runs in the fifth inning. When it was all over, after five innings, the score was 23-1. Pitching in that game were Dominic Gonzales, Maurico Chavez and Nick Bustos.
The Pirates will play St. Pius (14-4,4-0), currently the number one team in the Pirates district, on Tuesday, April 19. The Pirates lost a close game to St. Pius, 7-4, on April 1 in a district away game. “We left a lot of players on base in that game-we didn’t’ get hits at key times-we will have a more patient approach to this game,” said Sarracino. “Hopefully we have a good showing, play our hearts out and have fun.” The Pirates and St. Pius matchup will be at 4 p.m. When asked about weather conditions this year as the New Mexico area is traditionally very, windy this time of year creating blowing sand, Sarracino said, “We have been playing in real poor conditions.”
GHS Sports Wrap up
GHS Track competed at Moriarty Invitational on April 14. Iyessa Arriaga, a senior, placed first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:35 and 1600 meter run with a time of 6:12. Senior Marina Lucero placed second in the triple jump and fellow senior Mia Apodaca placed third in the triple jump.
Bobby Perez, a junior, placed fourth in the 400-meter dash, four in the triple jump and fifth in the 500-meter dash. John Paul Miller placed fourth in the 1600-meter run and fourth in the 3200-meter run. The GHS boys 4x100 relay team placed third with a time of 46.08.
The Lady Pirates tennis team defeated Highland High School, 6-3, on April 14 in a district match up. The Lady Pirates are currently 5-7, 3-1. Number three in singles Alexia Munson, a sophomore, defeated Arely Martinez 6-1, 6-2. Number four in singles Kynlie Cash, a senior, defeated Athena Amindyas 6-3, 6-2. Chalee Merayo, number five in singles defeated Ariana Lopez 6-0, 6-2. Number six in singles Abriyah Urioste defeated Alexa Morales 6-1, 6-0. In number two doubles Karsyn Cash and Alexia Munson won their matches 6-0 and 6-1. Number three in doubles Chalee Merayo and Abriyah Urioste won their matches 6-2, 6-1.
Currently the GHS boys’ tennis team is 4-8, 2-2 after an 8-1 loss to Highland High School on April 14 in an away district match. Sophomore Isaiah Tena, current number two for the Pirate team, defeated David Carerra 6-2, 6-4.