Pirate Baseball Goes 2-1 in Recent Play

The Grants High School baseball team went 2-1 last week. On February 28, they played 5A Volcano Vista Hawks (4-1) who defeated them 12-6. “We came out a little flat—we didn’t play,” said GHS head baseball coach Mike Furbee. “It’s early in the season and it’s not a bad loss.”

The Pirates were down one run, 4-3, after the first inning. The Hawks added five runs in the second inning; two runs in the third inning; and one run in the sixth inning, making the score 12-3 as the crucial seventh inning started.

The Pirates managed three runs at the top of the seventh inning to make the final score 12-6. Nick Bustos pitched two innings and allowed six hits and one strikeout. Izeah Manzanares pitched four innings and allowed five hits; he had seven strikeouts. Dominic Gonzales was one for two, with one RBI and two walks. Estevan Barela was two for one, with two RBIs and one walk.

On Saturday, March 4, the Pirates played a doubleheader at home against the Gallup Bengals (0-4) whom they defeated by a score of 17-0 and 16-0 respectively. “We got back to work with Gallup and we keep the play to our level,” said Furbee “We planned on starting our starters for two innings and then rotating them out.” In the first game Dominic Gonzales pitched three innings and allowed two hits, five strikeouts and one walk. Boudy Melonas pitched two innings and had one hit, four strikeouts and one walk.

In the second game, Nick Bustos pitched two innings and allowed zero hits, four strikeouts and one walk. Nico Young pitched for three innings, allowed one hit and had six strikeouts with no walks. Andres Lopez was two for four, and two RBIs. Dominic Gonzales was two for four and three RBI’s. Cameran McDougale was two for three with two RBIs. Jesse Nieto was three for three and three RBIs.

The Pirates will host the 5A Santa Fe Demons (4-0) on Wednesday, March 8 at the Port of the Pirates. “We are expecting a good game with them, (Santa Fe), they are seventh overall and fourth in 5A readings,” said Coach Furbee of that match up.

Coach Furbee said the team is at full force and getting in some practice time after having four games and a snow day all in a short period.

The game with Santa Fe is scheduled for Wednesday, 3 pm at home.

The GHS Lady Pirates Softball team has a rough start as they are 0-2 after a double header loss last week. They lost to the Lady Ravens of Rio Grande High School 8-0 in the first game and 11-0 in the second game. They will play the Lady Demons of Santa Fe (0-2) on Wednesday, March 8 at home at 3pm.

CIBOLA COUNTY ROUND-UP.

The Lady Pirates tennis team defeated the Lady Patriots of Miyamura 8-1. In number one singles, Chloe Rychner defeated Ashley Matkovich 10-3. In number two singles, Kylette Garcia defeated Hailey Situ 10-2. In number three singles, Karsyn Cash defeated Tiana Sanchez 10-6. Also in number three singles, Sahara Fiedacan defeated Alexia Munson 10-7.

In number one doubles play, Chloe Rychener and Kylette Garcia defeated Brielle Kng and Hannah Corral 10-3. In number two doubles, Alexia Munson and Karsyn Cash defeated Andrea Martinez and Athena Gomez-Yantsios 10-0. In number three doubles Abriyah Urioste and Annaliesa Lowther defeated Gracel Tidalgo and Bailey Briggs 10-4.

The GHS Boys’ Tennis team competed at Miyamura HIgh School on February 24 and were defeated 8-1. In number one singles Jameson Freguson of Miyamura defeated Joshuah Sausa of Grants 10-0. In number two singles Sean Spolar defeated Nathan Hobbs 10-2. In number three singles Mar Manuel defeated Isaiah Tena 10-4. In number one doubles, Jameson Ferguson and Shaun Spolar defeated Joshuah Sausa and Isaiah Tena 10-3. In number two doubles Mari Manuel and Anthony Karpinski defeated Nathan Hobbs and Carlos Fernandez 10-0.

The Grants High School track and field team had their first track meet last week on Saturday, March 4, at Los Lunas High School. Laila Martinez placed first in the 1600-meter race with a time of 5:37.65 for the Lady Pirates. Andres Lazos placed third in the triple jump with a 37-6 jump. Knight Long placed fourth in the 200m dash with a time of 24.68