Starting eighth-grade pitcher Nate Ross gave up just one hit and two walks while striking out seven in four innings of work to lead the Sedona Red Rock Junior High School baseball team to a 13-3 run-rule win over visiting Mayer Elementary School in five innings.

The Scorpions [4-2] scored five runs in the first inning, with many of the runners getting on base from walks, moving over on uncontested steals and scoring on passed balls or hard-hit balls to the outfield.

“We’re trying to get ready for the conference tournament, the kids have improved a lot,” head coach Pedro Ortega said. “For the most part I’m happy with the execution of the game.”

Of Mayer’s nine baserunners, only two reached on singles. The game’s highlight came when Scorpions eighth-grader Jaiah Grondin scored an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to inflate the lead to 11-1.

The team hosted Beaver Creek School on Thursday, March 30, but results were unavailable at press time. It hosts the Verde Valley Athletic Association tournament on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21.

Daniel Hargis
Larson Newspapers