Bradshaw Mountain baseball flips script on rival Badgers, win 9-3 to grab No. 8 spot in rankings

April 21, 2024 by Brian M. Bergner Jr., AZPreps365


Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.

PRESCOTT — Rylan Osbjornsen and Joshua Wright each had two RBIs, Shane Lievsay had two doubles and Bradshaw Mountain took a leap in the power point rankings with a 9-3 extra-inning victory over cross-town rival Prescott in their season finale Thursday afternoon.

The Bears (15-9, 8-3 4A Grand Canyon) plated six runs in the eighth inning to break the tie and earn a victory over the Badgers, which had beaten them 28-12 just 48 hours earlier.

T.J. Drape pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs while scattering eight hits.

Prescott’s Ivan Schuster was 3 for 3 on the day, while Jack Burton and Luke Tobin each had RBI doubles in the loss.

With the win, No. 8 Bradshaw Mountain may have earned themselves a Top 8 seed in the upcoming 4A state playoffs, which are scheduled to begin April 27. They may also host Prescott once again as the No. 8-9 seeds play in the first round, and the Badgers are currently ranked No. 9.

Prescott would need to win a play-in game April 24 to advance.

4A BASEBALL: #4 FLAGSTAFF 11, CACTUS 1

FLAGSTAFF — Luke Hewes was 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs, Jace Adams struck out five and Flagstaff won their 12th game in 13 tries with a 11-1 rout over Cactus on Saturday afternoon.

The No. 4-ranked Eagles used a five-run second inning to seal the deal.

Flagstaff wraps up the regular season Monday against rival Coconino on Monday, April 22. First pitch at Coconino is set for 4 p.m.

4A BASEBALL: #25 MINGUS 20, #23 COCONINO 15

FLAGSTAFF — Fighting for their state playoff lives, No. 25-ranked Mingus rallied for 11 runs in the fifth inning to beat Coconino 20-15 on Friday afternoon.

Carter Wacker, Xavier Buckner, Kaden Pusl and Pops Godina each had three RBIs in the win for the Marauders (12-13, 4-6 4A Grand Canyon).

Mingus wraps up the regular season with a doubleheader Monday, April 22, against Lee Williams in Kingman.

The 4A state play-in round is set for April 24, and Mingus might need to win both games against the Volunteers to earn a spot.

Game one is set for 1 p.m.

4A SOFTBALL: #10 BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN 11, #15 PRESCOTT 5

PRESCOTT VALLEY — Behind a three-RBI performance from Carmen Marquez, Bradshaw Mountain used a six-run rally in the third inning to beat cross-town rival Prescott 11-4 in Thursday afternoon’s regular season finale.

Kodee Statler pitched seven strong innings in the circle, allowing two earned runs and striking out 13 Prescott batters to earn the win.

The No. 10-ranked Bears (13-8, 8-4 4A Grand Canyon) have won four of their last six and are hoping to carry that momentum into the 4A state playoffs, but they’ll likely need to win a state play-in game April 24 to do so.

3A SOFTBALL: #4 SNOWFLAKE 18, BLUE RIDGE 0

LAKESIDE — Powered by Livi Schneider’s five-RBI day, No. 4-ranked Snowflake plated seven runs in the first inning to take care of business against Blue Ridge in an 18-0 win Thursday afternoon.

Jordyn Bryant earned the shutout after allowing only three hits in four innings.

Snowflake (20-6-1, 8-1 3A East) wraps up the regular season against Show Low at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22.

DIVISION II TENNIS: #4 FLAGSTAFF 9, DEER VALLEY 0

FLAGSTAFF — In their seventh shutout of the season, No. 4-ranked Flagstaff swept Deer Valley 9-0 last week, strengthening their case as one of the top girls tennis teams in the state.

It is the 14th straight win for the Eagles, which saw Josie Shinkle win 6-0, 6-0, over Laila Mercado, Trinity Harris beat Maggiie Mitchell 6-4, 6-0, and Rachel Parker beat Eliayanna Villanueva, 6-0, 6-1.

The first round of the Division II Girls Tennis State Championships begin Tuesday, April 23, as the Eagles take on No. 13 Eastmark at Thorpe Park in Flagstaff. Official start time is set for 3 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.