As the old saying goes, it is not how you start a race, but how you finish it. After losing five starters from last season, Sedona struggled early on and started the season 1-4.

Despite a less than ideal start, Sedona hit its stride late in the season and finished the year 10-10, good for a playoff berth.

“This season was rewarding because although we struggled early on with injuries, I think we ended strong,” Sedona coach Pedro Ortega said. “A few kids got hurt in our pitching staff but we rebuilt and finished the regular season with a strong pace.”

Sedona utilized eight different pitchers this season including two freshmen and three sophomores.

The Scorpions ended the year 7-7 in conference play, good for fourth in the 2A Central.

“I am proud of the team as it was our goal to qualify for the postseason and we accomplished that,” Ortega said. “With almost all of our players returning next season, our expectations will definitely increase in 2020.”

Sedona’s season ended on Tuesday, April 30, when the Scorpions lost 11-1 to Parker High School in the 2A playoffs.

“After our last game ended, we told the players that we still accomplished our goal of making the playoffs,” Ortega said. “They should hold their heads high and know that we will aim for a higher goal next season.”

Sedona was heavily represented on the 2A Central all-regional team as four players earned spots.

“I would say it was a big accomplish to have that many players make the list,” Ortega said. “It says a lot about the good attitude and principles that we are teaching our kids at our school.”

Scorpions senior Ryan Farmer earned first-team honors along with sophomore Nate Ross.

“As our lone senior, Farmer did an outstanding job at leading the team,” Ortega said. “Nate [Ross], Matt Capozzi and the rest of our team did a great job taking after Ryan.”

This season, Farmer finished fourth in the region in batting average [.451] and in slugging percentage [.686].

Ross led the Scorpions with 47 strikeouts, good for fourth in the 2A Central.

Sophomores Capozzi and Jaiah Grondin and each earned second-team honors.

Capozzi’s 27 stolen bases led the entire region.

“Having that many players out of our starting lineup earn all-regional honors says a lot about our program,” Ortega said.

The Scorpions stole 123 bases this season, with eight different players recording at least eight stolen bases.

For Ortega, this season was a success due to the team’s youth.

“I thought we competed very well for a team comprised mostly of freshman and sophomores,” Ortega said.

In 2020, Ortega expects the Scorpions to contend for a top 2A ranking.

“Next season, we would like to finish in the top-eight in the state,” Ortega said. “Our expectations are to win our region, our section and then qualify for state after that.”

Ortega also expects more Scorpions on the 2020 all-regional list.

“I expect all of our players that earned all-regional honors to take on bigger roles next season,” Ortega said. “We are only losing one player, but we have a bunch of kids that will be very accountable for team success next season.”

During the offseason, the Scorpions will look to hit the weight room in anticipation for 2020.

“Getting stronger will be the emphasis of summer ball as a lot of our players have not fully matured physically,” Ortega said. “Obviously we get smarter as we age, but we are looking for different options and summer ball is about exploring those options.

“We also want to look at the incoming freshman and see where we are at for the future.”