As the regular season reaches its ending, the Sedona Red Rock baseball team is hitting its stride.

After a slight hiccup, the Scorpions have won their last three games by convincing margins.

“I think we are improving by the day,” Sedona coach Pedro Ortega said. “Their motivation is running high right now, and I am very impressed with how they are playing.”

The Scorpions are currently 7-9 this season and sit at 21st in the 2A rankings.

In 2018, the Scorpions finished 9-9, good for fifth in the 2A Central.

“We have improved on a little bit of everything since the season began and it has been great to watch,” Ortega said. “We still have a lot to improve on, but I believe we are peaking at the right moment.”

Sedona is currently batting .319 with a .443 on-base percentage.

“They have been hitting the ball well and doing whatever the coaches have asked from them,” Ortega said.

During Sedona’s three-game winning streak, the Scorpions have outscored their opponents by 38 runs.

“Our baserunning has also been great and has helped us generate runs,” Ortega said. “We have been taking care of business once we get to first.”

Matthew Capozzi leads the Scorpions with 21 stolen bases, good for second in the 2A Central.

“Our top three of Capozzi, Jaiah Grondin and Nate Ross have played very well lately,” Ortega said.

Grondin leads the Scorpions with 20 runs and has also accumulated 17 hits and 11 runs batted in.

Sedona is 5-6 in conference play, good for fourth in the 2A Central.

“Hopefully, we can make the playoffs and you never know what can happen,” Ortega said.

The Scorpions defense has allowed only seven runs in its last three games.

“Everything is coming to place now with our pitching and defense,” Ortega said. “Our offense is coming around so our overall game is getting there.”

Sedona has used eight pitchers for at least one inning this season.

“Two players recently joined the team and they are both learning how to pitch,” Ortega said. “They are pitching well and three of our pitchers are healthy again so our rotation is looking better.”

Ross leads Sedona with 32.2 innings pitched and has allowed 18 earned runs and struck out 42 batters.

“The pitchers are hitting the strike zone better than they were earlier in the season,” Ortega said. “They are putting the defense in great positions to make plays.”

Ryan Farmer has pitched 13 innings and struck out 11 batters this season.

After injuries plagued the Scorpions early on, Sedona’s lineup is coming to form.

“We are looking pretty healthy right now and are coming off a solid week,” Ortega said. “It has been challenging with injuries and our youth, but I am very pleased with them.”

Ortega is in second year with the Scorpions after taking over for Craig Eagle.

Of Sedona’s 15-man roster, 12 of their players are freshmen or sophomores.

“We have had to adjust to what they know as that is a big factor in my coaching,” Ortega said. “This team has an opportunity for a bright future but there is still a long way to go.”

Sedona returned to the field on Thursday, April 18, when the Scorpions face the Valley Lutheran Flames.

The Scorpions defeated the Flames 11-0 when these two teams met on Thursday,
March 28.

Sedona’s next home game is Saturday, April 20, when the Scorpions face off against rival Camp Verde.

“Camp Verde has been playing very well and look forward to seeing them soon,” Ortega said. “Northland Prep has also been playing well, as those two teams are atop the division.”

Camp Verde is currently ranked eighth in the state.

Senior night for the Scorpions is Tuesday, April 22, when Sedona hosts North Pointe Prep.

Farmer is the Scorpions lone senior.
The first pitch is slated for 3:45 p.m.