Kofa baseball, Cibola softball set for fourth playoff games
At this point, Kofa and Tempe-Marcos de Niza might as well be in the same region.
The Kings and Padres meet for the second time in less than a week and the third time this season in a Class 5A Division II State Baseball Tournament loser bracket semifinal. After two games in Yuma, the teams play at 1 p.m. today at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Kings aren't the only Gila Valley Region team still alive, as the No. 4 Cibola softball team is in the same round of the 5A-II State Softball Tournament at 10 am. today at Sandra Day O'Connor High against No. 8 Boulder Creek.
The No. 8 Kings won the regular season matchup against the No. 9 Padres, but fell 3-2 on Saturday in the opening round of the playoffs. The Kings couldn't get their bats going, in part due to the absence of leading hitter Sergio Sanchez, who was battling an injury.
Sanchez played the last two games as designated hitter, and the Kings have scored 22 runs in those games.
Kofa coach Richy Leon said Sanchez could be a difference maker - but added there are eight other players in the lineup who could also make a difference.
"It was a one-run difference, and hopefully we're in the same type ballgame with him in the lineup, we talked about him providing two to four runs a game, then hopefully that can make a difference," Leon said. "But we're not going to put it on the shoulders of one guy. It's a team effort. Everybody has to contribute."
Sanchez said it was hard watching the game from the dugout Saturday.
"Last time we left too many runners on base," Sanchez said. "We didn't hit the ball like we know how. This time, everybody is talking about it and how we're going to do good. I know no matter the results, we're going to play a better game."
Leon said he noticed the difference as well and also expects a better offensive showing.
"We've been pressing that it doesn't matter who were playing, it doesn't matter the score, it's the way you approach the game," Leon said. "Maybe in the back of their minds it's a little bit of revenge, so hopefully that helps us out. Any advantage we'll take it."
While the Kings are finding their strokes, the Raiders have been struggling at the plate. They lost a 1-0 game in a second-round game and won a 1-0, nine-inning second round loser bracket game.
Cibola coach Shelly Baumann said the competition has gotten tougher, as has the opposing pitching.
"The reason we're having problems scoring runs is we're playing excellent competition," Baumann said. "Each game gets a little harder and harder and harder. Pitching is great now."
Starter Sarah Ray has given up just one run in the playoffs and it was unearned. The defense, after committing three errors in an inning in a 1-0 home loss to No. 5 Sunnyside, rebounded in its last game against Rincon for a strong showing, and Baumann said that could be the difference between a win and a loss.
"When we get to the level of play like we get to, that's going to be the difference maker," Baumann said. "That's the key right there - who can hold underneath the pressure, who can come up with the big hits, and it's all about a little bit of timing and maybe a little bit of luck too."
If the Raiders win, they'll face the No. 1 Sunrise Mountain-Sunnyside loser in the final loser bracket game at 4 p.m. Tuesday at O'Connor. Kofa will face the No. 1 Desert Ridge-No. 5 Deer Valley loser in the final loser bracket game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
