Sedona Red Rock High School head baseball coach Craig Eagle and head softball coach Mike Keider feel fortunate their Thursday, April 14, games with Camp Verde High School did not count in the sectional standings.

If they did, neither team might have a shot at the postseason after getting run-ruled at home in five innings by the Cowboys, 15-4 and 12-2.

Resuming Section I play Wednesday, April 20, at Tuba City High School, however, baseball is still ranked eighth and softball 28th in the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III power rankings.

So baseball remains atop the section, while softball still has a shot at the state tournament. But to accomplish those goals, both teams will most likely need to win their final four games, including a return trip to CVHS on Friday, April 22 — one that does count in sectional play.

Sophomore Michael Ortega was two for two, driving in two runs to give the Scorpions a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

It would not last, however, as junior staff ace Randy Rodriguez was roughed up in his first loss.

“We weren’t on our A game against Camp Verde,” Eagle said. “We did above and beyond what we could do to prep for this game, but we just didn’t come out to play the best we could against our rival.”

CVHS first reached Rodriguez for five runs in the second inning before sending him to the showers with two outs in the fourth after another eight runs.

Five Scorpions errors led to at least two of the CVHS runs.

Although senior Derrick Johnson hit his first career home run in the fourth inning — a two-run, 465-foot shot — the rest of the order combined for three hits and just as many strikeouts.

“We need to come out with as much energy as possible this game to put a W on the board,” Eagle said about the rematch with the Cowboys.

Keider’s team already put the Cowboys loss behind it Thursday, April 15, downing St. Johns High School, 15-3.

“Everybody was hitting, including the freshmen,” he said. “It was a great game for Senior Night.”

Keider’s daughter, Emma, struck out four and scattered seven hits for her fourth win of the spring. She would also help herself with a three-for-three performance at the plate with two RBIs, stealing five bases to boot.

Sophomore Natalie Monge also had three stolen bases, combining with her sister, Hailey, for a five-for-eight day after the freshman hit a bases-loaded double in the second inning, clearing the bases.

For more photos, please see the Wednesday, April 20, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.