MORENCI — The Morenci Bulldogs’ season came to an end in the Division 4 regional semifinals with a 6-0 defeat at the hands of a tough Manchester squad.
The Flying Dutchmen won both regular season matchups with scores of 12-1 and 10-3. But Morenci entered the regional tournament on a five-game winning streak.
“I thought we played with more confidence,” coach Kay Johnson said. “We weren’t afraid at the plate.”
Morenci hitters had trouble figuring out Manchester’s ace who threw all seven innings and finished with 15 strikeouts to just three hits and a walk.
“She has one of the nicest rise balls I’ve seen in a couple of years,” Johnson said of the opposition’s ace.
Rylee Frederick’s double in the second inning was the first hit for the Bulldogs, but she was left stranded and the game was scoreless after two innings.
Manchester scored two runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead before tacking on two additional runs in the sixth.
Johnson knew Manchester had a couple of special hitters at the top of their lineup that would be tough outs. The #1 and #2 hitters accounted for four of the Flying Dutchmen’s six runs.
Evelyn Joughin and Gracie Snead added singles in the third and seventh innings respectively for Morenci but the Bulldogs were unable to drive them in.
Coach Johnson thought the girls played better throughout the year, both at the plate and defensively knowing their assignments and where they needed to be.
“Addyson pitched better,” Johnson said of starting pitcher Addyson Valentine. “She isn’t going to overpower hitters necessarily, but she changes speed and uses location very effectively.”
Valentine finished the season with over 200 strikeouts.
There will be a couple of holes to fill but Coach Johnson sees plenty to be optimistic about for the future. Valentine will return for another year on the mound. A young infield will have another year of maturation under their belts and will be anchored by the senior Joughin at shortstop.
“Over the years, it seems to be the sophomore to junior jump where the players get physically stronger,” Johnson noticed. “Hitting-wise they are stronger at the plate.”
Improvement from freshman Tavin Kruse in centerfield along with the aforementioned infield also suggests the Bulldog defense will be sound as well.
Morenci finished 21-15 overall with a district championship added to the trophy case.
