Despite getting shut out in a home scrimmage Friday, Feb. 19, by Holbrook High School, Craig Eagle is ready to do more than get run-ruled in the first round of the Division III tournament.
“That is definitely the goal, to make [the] playoffs and have a better showing,” said Eagle, coming off a five-inning, 12-0 loss to Division III runner-up Walden Grove High School in his first State appearance as Sedona Red Rock High School head baseball coach. “We were in the game the first three innings, but our pitchers weren’t throwing strikes.”
If they can start doing that for the Scorpions beginning Friday, Feb. 26, the Scorpions have as deep and experienced a batting order as they have ever enjoyed in Eagle’s three seasons.
Sophomore Wyatt Ross will start at catcher at Phoenix Christian High School’s Cougar Classic.
“He’s really worked hard over the summer, and it shows: He’s blocking balls, getting up quick, throwing to second well,” Eagle said. “Wyatt’s going to be a good hitter at that four or five spot in the batting order.”
Ross, Eagle indicated, may also be called on to pitch, giving way to freshman Brennan Hutton behind the plate.
“Garrison and Randy will be kind of my one-two starting pitcher[s],” Eagle said. “Hopefully we’ll have Dawson be one of my pitchers.”
Senior Garrison Skornik and junior Randy Rodriguez will also anchor the left side of the Scorpions’ infield at shortstop and third base, respectively.
Senior leadoff hitter Justice Keane will again get the nod at second base, with junior Dawson Barber battling senior Corbin Pulido to start at first.
Senior center fielder Derrick Johnson and speedy junior right fielder Javier Pacheco will also be called on for innings on the mound, at least out of the bullpen.
Last year’s mid-season call-up from junior varsity, sophomore Michael Ortega, has a fight on his hands guarding the left field foul line with senior Sam Serrano, who Eagle called his “best contact hitter … a tough out. He’s put in the work, swinging.”
Junior transfer Hayden Hobbs and freshmen Jacob Wolff and Ryan Farmer, a new arrival from Phoenix, could back up Scorpions pitching at second base and in the outfield, Eagle added.
For the full Sedona Red Rock High School baseball schedule, please see the Friday, Feb. 26, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.
