Rams take 2 of 3 from Tucson teams

The Maricopa High School baseball and softball teams played teams from Tucson this week and the Rams emerged victorious in two of the three contests.

The varsity baseball team (6-4) hosted the Flowing Wells Caballeros (0-10) on Wednesday beating them 10-6.

Senior pitcher Dillon Moran won his first game in three appearances allowing only four hits and two earned runs while delivering seven strikeouts in five innings pitched. Fellow senior Michael Gunter relieved Moran in the sixth inning and recorded his second save in as many appearances.
The Rams jumped all over Flowing Wells with two runs in the first inning and three more in the second. They would go scoreless in the third, but come roaring back with four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Michael Gunter paced all batters, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Junior Nick Diaz also knocked in a 2-run home run and was hit by a pitch going 1-for-2. Senior Derik Johnson also finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Rams rallied whenever a batter hit the base path and left zero men stranded on base throughout the game.

Next up for the varsity squad is traveling to Tucson to take on Catalina Foothills (11-2, 5-0 home) Tuesday and then across town to take on Salpointe Catholic (6-1).

The varsity softball squad (8-5) traveled to Tucson and split a pair between Flowing Wells and Catalina Foothills high schools.

Wednesday afternoon’s game at Flowing Wells saw Rams’ starting pitcher Victoria Andrade give up five runs in the first inning before settling down and pitching four scoreless innings.

The Rams opened up with a single by senior Madi Byrd but Madi Moncel’s come-backer to the pitcher was turned into a double play and the girls were shut down and the bats went silent until the sixth inning.

They executed a double steal and scored a run before two straight flyouts ended the rally and the inning. They would go on to give up three more runs in the sixth and lose 9-1.

***ADVERTISEMENT***Thursday’s game at Catalina Foothills was a complete 180 from the Wednesday’s game and spelled a big win for the Lady Rams.

The girls dominated the Falcons scoring two runs in the first inning and chasing the pitcher in the fourth inning. Sophomore pitcher Amber Cramer went the distance and took the win although she looked a little shaky in the bottom of the seventh giving up two runs.

The Rams broke their two-game losing streak with the 5-2 victory and are back home on Wednesday to take on Horizon Honors (2-5-1) out of north Phoenix and travel back to Tucson on Thursday to play Salpointe Catholic (4-5).