All Entries in the "Baseball" Category

ATHLETIC VOICE: Tucson must support AAA Padres

By JAMES KELLEY
aztecpress@pima.edu

Not that I would know, of course, but there can’t be many feelings better than failing a test and then getting to retake it.

After Tucson failed to support its last Triple-A team, the Old Pueblo gets a second chance with a new team at baseball’s second highest level, the Tucson Padres.

Conversely, embarrassing attendance numbers could mean the end of pro sports in Tucson for years to come. Every pro sports team here has failed, except the independent Tucson Toros.

The Tucson Padres, nee Portland Beavers, needed a new home when they got kicked out of their ballpark so it could be converted to a Major League Soccer stadium.

This is a golden opportunity. If Tucson can’t convince the Padres to stay, it can position itself as the prettiest girl at the dance when other Triple-A teams are thinking about moving.

Tucson’s history, a AAA city from 1969-2008, coupled with two usable stadiums plus good attendance, could mean being able to take a team from a place like Las Vegas, Charlotte, Nashville or Scranton.

The T-Pads will be in town at least this year, and most likely next. An April 9 report in the North County Times made it sound like Escondido, Calif., won’t be able to get financing in place until 2014, with construction taking a little more than a year.

If I were San Diego/Tucson Padres owner Jeff Moorad, I would stay in the Old Pueblo if the Jr. Padres get good crowds. I never understood why you want to move your Triple-A team so close to your major league team. (Escondido is 35 minutes from San Diego.)

I like Triple-A and all, but why would anyone go see Minor League Baseball when you can see MLB?

Sure a suburb of San Diego is much closer than Tucson, but it is not as if they are calling up players from New Orleans or Portland.

Plus, speaking as a (lately reluctant) Diamondbacks fan, I can tell you that D’backs fans are an endangered species in Tucson. What better way for San Diego to stick it to division rival Arizona than to build a fan base in Arizona?

The only other way to get new team is to build a new stadium and we all know that won’t happen for a long time.

Remember, it is a hassle coupled with a burden to get a stadium built in a liberal place like Tucson, California or New York, unlike conservative places like Phoenix or Texas.

Republicans seem to be against spending money on health care or education, but stadiums are all good.

The stage is set for the Padres to be successful and they hardly look like a lame duck franchise.

The promotions sound appealing, such as military appreciation nights (with the famous Padres camo jerseys), two-for-one tickets nights, $1 hot dog nights, Roll Back the Clock Night at Hi Corbett Field, fireworks nights and, of course, $1 beer nights.

The uniforms and logo are cool too. The logo is a combination of the old cactus and mountain University of Arizona logo everyone loves and the 1970s Padres jersey script, but it is blue instead of the toilet colors, yellow and brown.

Tucson also brought in beloved former Tucson Toros general manager Mike Feder to head the team.

Heck, the local daily paper even gave the Padres four full pages on April 10. They generally ignore local sports other than UA football and men’s basketball.

Here’s your chance Tucson. Don’t strike out again.

Tucson Padres slideshow

Check out the Tucson Padres website

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ONLINE ONLY: Tucson Padres Slideshow

By JAMES KELLEY

Tucson new Triple-A team, the Tucson Padres, hosts the Salt Lake City Bees in the Padres’ first Military Appreciation Night. The Padres, taking a cue from their MLB parent, honors military every Sunday and dons camouflage uniforms. For more information go to TucsonPadres.com

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Sibling pitchers find home in Tucson

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo by JAMES KELLEY

Softball and baseball has been the focal points in the lives of Taryne and Torry Mowatt.

Both Taryne, 24, and Torry, 20, started playing tee ball when they were 4 years old. Their love for the game grew as the years went by and careers for both of them started to form.

The Mowatts grew up in Corona, Calif. Taryne was the first to make the trip out to Tucson to play softball for the University of Arizona.

“I wanted to go to a school that was going to give me an education and a chance to win a championship, and I knew that Arizona was going to be the best bet,” Taryne said.

Taryne went on to become one of the best pitchers in Arizona softball history.

She won 100 games over her tenure as a starting pitcher and was a part of the 2006 and 2007 National Championship teams.

In 2007, Taryne won the Most Outstanding Player award at the Women’s College World Series, after throwing more than 1,000 pitches in a week to lead the UA to its eighth National Championship.

“There aren’t words to describe it unless you have felt the greatest moment in your life,” Mowatt said of winning the College World Series. “It was something that not many people can say they have accomplished and I got to do it with some of my best friends.”

In 2007, Taryne also won two ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete, beating the likes of Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker and Best Female College Athlete.

“I was shocked, I didn’t see it happening,” Taryne said. “I was content with just being there, but when they said my name, in my head I was thinking, ‘Great, now I have to go give a speech in front of millions of viewers and all the best athletes in the world.’ But it was really fun and I would love to do it every year if I could.”

Taryne currently is a member of the Chicago Bandits in the National Pro Fastpitch, formerly the Women’s Pro Softball League. The up-and-coming league has four teams total.

She is helping to lay the groundwork for softball players to have an adequate living in the future by building the NPF to higher standards. She was drafted by the Washington Glory in 2008, but has been on three teams in three years.

Outside of softball, Taryne loves music and updating her Twitter page. She also has started her own website, Taryne.com, which gives updates on camps, clinics, appearances, games and other interesting, fan-friendly information.

Her brother, Torry, on the other hand, does not quite have the resume that his older sister has, but has enjoyed success of his own.

Torry Mowatt, left and Taryne Mowatt, right

Torry moved to Tucson to live with his sister and play baseball. He was recruited to play out of high school but suffered an injury. That led to Tucson, and Pima Community College, being his best bet.

“I came out here as an outfielder and a couple turn of events, turned into a pitcher,” Torry said of his experience at Pima. “Last year, I was more of a thrower than a pitcher, but thanks to the summer, I learned a lot of new things and worked with a lot of different styles of baseball.”

Torry has definitely improved with pitching as he is now, arguably, one of the Aztecs’ best pitchers.

“I thought it was going to be a lot tougher of a transition,” Torry said. “It has been more mentally tough than anything.”

As of April 5, Torry was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA and has recorded 40 strikeouts on the season. He primarily comes out of the bullpen but has started a game.

Torry’s plan for after Pima is one with many decisions.

“I have school, a pro career that is now a reality and Division 1 ball to think about as options,” Torry said. “Every little kid’s dream growing up is to play pro ball and it has always been a dream of mine. It is now a little bit stronger because it is actually a reality where it is just a matter of me reaching out and grabbing it.”

When baseball isn’t on Torry’s mind, he loves to go fishing.

“If I had the chance to do it everyday, I’d do it,” Torry said of fishing.

The Mowatts also have two other siblings, Jordan, 17, and Anthony, 13.

Jordan is a softball player like her sister, and plays high school ball in California. According to Taryne, Jordan will most likely continue to play in college, though mostly likely in the Golden State.
Family life is a big part of the Mowatts and this is evident in Taryne’s support of her brother Torry.

“I try to make all the games that I know he is pitching in,” Taryne said.

Taryne and Torry will throw together on occasion and run together to keep in shape.

Working out on your own was the main training tip that both Mowatts mentioned as the keys to their success.

“My work ethic has helped me to be the best baseball player that I can be,” Torry said.

Taryne and Torry are both still young and have many more years of baseball and softball ahead of them.

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Baseball earns two POWs, then drops four straight

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo by LEFTRICK HERD

The Pima Community College baseball team lost a pair of conference games on April 5 to Arizona Western College, 10-1 and 10-8.

“We can’t give up 20 runs in a doubleheader and expect to win a game,” head coach Jason Hisey said.

The Aztecs’ (21-19, 12-12 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) losses came after winning two player of the week awards for the week ending March 27.  

“We are disappointed but we can’t get discouraged,” Hisey said. “We just gotta play better.”

In game one, freshman pitcher Julio Felix (2-4) took the loss as he gave up five earned runs through only two innings of work.

Sophomore pitcher Erick Fredrick (3-3) started game two, but sophomore Torry Mowatt (5-3) received the loss out of the bullpen.  Mowatt threw 4 2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on eight hits.

Freshman infielder Joseph Haskell also hit the ball well in the nightcap as he went 2-4, hit a triple and scored three runs.  Freshman infielder, and reigning National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 Batter of the Week, Hayden Cota-Robles knocked in three RBIs.

The Aztecs dropped a pair of conference games on April 2 to No. 16 Central Arizona College, 4-0 and 6-5.

Freshman pitcher, and co-pitcher of the week winner through March 20-27, Keith Zuniga (5-2) started game one and worked all six innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits in the 4-0 shutout loss.

Eric Fredrick

In game two, Mowatt picked up the loss out of the bullpen as he relieved freshman pitcher Jose Gomez (4-2).  Mowatt allowed two runs on four hits in the 6-5 loss.

Freshman outfielder Kyle Kilgore went 3-4, scored a run and drove in two RBIs.

On March 29, PCC split a pair of conference games with Phoenix College. The Aztecs lost the opener, 5-2, but bounced back to beat the Bears, 4-3, in the nightcap.

In game one, Felix got the loss, giving up three earned runs in four innings of work.

Fredrick started game two but did not factor in the decision as Mowatt picked up the win out of the bullpen. Mowatt threw 3 2/3 shutout innings and only allowed two hits.

Freshman catcher Marc Gavre was the Aztecs’ top hitter as he went 3-4 with a triple and two RBIs.

Pima won a pair on March 26 against Mesa Community College, 5-0 and 11-5.

Zuniga threw a complete game shutout in game one, allowing four hits total and striking out eight Thunderbird hitters.

In game two, Gomez earned the win while throwing five innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on three hits.

Mowatt threw the last three innings, shutting out Mesa while surrendering two hits.

Cota-Robles led the way at the plate as he went a combined 5-8, with a pair of doubles and four RBIs. Freshman outfielder Ryan Cota also chipped in, going a combined 4-7 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

When asked if Pima will make the playoffs, Hisey acknowledged that losses will not cut it. PCC was in fourth place before losing to Western.

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Tucson Padres debut

By JAMES KELLEY

Tucson’s new Triple-A team will open its home season April 15 against Salt Lake City at 7 p.m.

The Tucson Padres will play from April to August at Kino Stadium.

For more information, go to tucsonpadres.com

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ONLINE EXTRA: ATHLETIC VOICE: 2011 fantasy baseball preview

By JOEL GANTT

Do you know what the greatest day of the year is?

It’s not Christmas and it’s definitely not your birthday. For a baseball fan, it’s MLB opening day. The sun is always shining and the smell of pine tar and fresh-cut grass seems to seep though the television.

Opening day for professional owners is just like draft day for fantasy owners.

In this compact guide to the 2011 fantasy baseball season, we give you insight on draft strategy, a top-100 list and small hints on fantasy success so you can dominate your league.

Due to a lack of space in our top 100, we left out all relief pitchers except for one. We have Brian Wilson of the Giants as our top reliever and ranked him No. 53 overall, so you can assume other closers will be drafted shortly after.

Draft a reliever in the sixth round and one more during the draft. You only need two closers if they are good, three if they struggle. Here are our top 10 closers, after Wilson:

#2) Joakim Soria, Royals/ 43 saves

#3) Neftali Feliz, Rangers/ 40 saves

#4) Heath Bell, Padres/ 47 saves

#5) Jose Valverde, Tigers/ 26 saves

#6) Carlos Marmol, Cubs/ 38 saves

#7) Francisco Rodriguez, Mets/ 25 saves

#8 ) Francisco Cordero, Reds/ 40 saves

#9) Andrew Bailey, A’s/ 25 saves

#10) Mariano Rivera, Yankees/ 33 saves

#11) Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers/ 22 saves

Rookies can absolutely make an impact for your fantasy team. Jason Heyward and Buster Posey are two recent examples of how rookies can produce.

Here are young players to keep your eye on this year:

A.L. pitcher: Jeremy Hellickson, Rays/SP, 4-0 during short time in bigs last season.

A.L. hitter: Carlos Santana, Indians/C. He can hit. If healthy, he could be an all-star.

N.L. pitcher: Tim Stauffer, Padres/SP, 1.85 ERA, smart pitcher who locates.

N.L. hitter: Mike Stanton, Marlins/OF, hit 22 homeruns at age 21.

When drafting your fantasy teams, know exactly what you need and draft accordingly. Check your league settings and make sure you know which players are injured.

For example, Adam Wainwright would normally be a top 10 starting pitcher and a top 60 draft pick, but he recently had Tommy John surgery and will not pitch this year. Don’t be the one who drafts an injured guy who is out for the year.

Shortstops are limited this year. After Jeter and J. Roll, it gets pretty slim. If you can’t get Hanley or Tulo, you will need many backup plans. Here are a few SS sleepers:

Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians

Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Twins

Starlin Castro, Cubs

Good luck to everyone who tries to manage a team this year. The season is extremely long and it is hard to keep up, so the draft tends to be the best part of the year. Don’t blow it.

100-player list:

Pitchers: ERA    K’s     W’s

Player Age Team Pos. AVG HR RBI

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Baseball drops four straight and out of rankings

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo by JAMES KELLEY

The Pima Community College baseball team has been up and down over the past couple of weeks and recently ended on a sour note with a four-game losing streak.

Sophomore pitcher Eric Fredrick said the losing streak can be “easily” erased.

The Aztecs, (18-14, 9-7 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) lost their No. 14 national ranking.

The Aztecs wrapped up the 2011 Jack Howell Classic on March 18 with a pair of losses.

“We just didn’t get the last four games that we wanted,” Fredrick said of their performance in the Jack Howell Classic. “We saw signs of encouragement throughout those four games and what we needed to work on.”

Pima went 2-4 at the tournament, held over Spring Break at the Kino Sports Complex.

“Our season is looking pretty promising right now,” Fredrick said. “The record is not as good as our team is, but it’ll turn around in the next half of the season.”

On March 18, PCC lost a pair, 4-1 to Western Texas College and then 4-0, to Midland (Texas) College.

Freshman pitcher Keith Zuniga (4-1) took the loss against Western Texas, throwing five innings and allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits.

Freshman pitcher Juan Vega (0-3) lost to Midland while only going three innings but allowing two earned runs.

The Pima offense was basically nonexistent and only accounted for 10 hits throughout the two games.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the Aztecs’ luck ran out as their losing streak started. Pima lost to New Mexico Junior College, 9-3, and Odessa (Texas) College, 9-8.

On March 16, PCC won a pair of games, beating Luna (New Mexico) College 10-2 and Hill (Texas) College 3-2.

Sophomore pitcher Robert Ravago (1-0) earned the win over Luna. Sophomore infielder Jovony Valenzuela was the star even though he only went 1-4, but that one hit was a grand slam.

Jovony Valenzuela

Against Hill College, freshman pitcher Jose Gomez (3-2) picked up the win.

Freshman outfielder Kyle Kilgore did a great job at the leadoff spot as he went 2-3 with a triple and one run scored.

On March 15, the Aztecs won a pair of games at Kino Sports Complex as they defeated Madison Area (Wisc.) Technical College, 4-1 and 8-1.

Fredrick (3-3) earned the game one victory while only allowing one run on two hits.

Sophomore pitcher Torry Mowatt (4-2) earned his fifth save of the season with a no-hit seventh inning.

Freshman outfielder Ryan Cota led the team at the plate, going 2-2 with a walk and one RBI.

Freshman pitcher Garrett Taggart (1-0) got the win in game two while only giving up one run and striking out eight batters.

Freshman infielder Hayden Cota-Robles showed off his bat as he hit for two doubles and also drove in one run. Cota-Robles is tied for first in the ACCAC with 12 doubles.

On March 14, PCC beat Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College 8-2 at Kino Sports Complex.

Zuniga earned the win as he threw 7 1/3 innings and fanned 11 batters.

Valenzuela drove in a pair of RBIs. Cota hit a homerun.

On March 12, Pima split a pair of home conference games with GateWay Community College, winning the first, 10-1, and losing the second, 11-1.

Freshman pitcher Julio Felix (2-2) went the distance in game one and allowed one run on six hits.

Valenzuela led the offense as he scored two runs, hit a triple and knocked in three RBI.

In game two, Mowatt got his first start of the season and got roughed up pretty badly. He gave up seven runs on seven hits in his five innings of work.

Cota-Robles got the only extra base hit as he went 1-3 with a double and the only Aztecs’ run.

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Baseball: Angry Aztecs return to the rankings

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photos by LEFTRICK HERD

Frustration was in the eyes of Pima Community College head coach Jason Hisey in a home doubleheader against Glendale Community College on March 8.

After freshman outfielder Ryan Cota broke his bat and grounded out to lose to Glendale, 4-3, Hisey was not pleased.

Pima split with the Gauchos, though, winning the first game 6-4.

Hisey walked to the dugout, threw his helmet against the ground and stood in anger.  Just one inning earlier, he grabbed a bat while entering the dugout and smashed it against the block wall.

After allowing his other coaches to have their words with the position players and pitchers, Hisey walked out to his team huddled in the outfield and let them have it.

Hisey declined to comment after the game.

Earlier in the month, the Pima baseball team was added to the National Junior College Athletic Association Top 25 National Poll as the No. 14 team. This is the first ranking for Pima baseball in the last couple of years.

Players were also unavailable after the game for comments.

PCC is now 12-9 overall (8-6 in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference).

In game one against Glendale, freshman pitcher Keith Zuniga (3-0) earned the victory as he gave up four runs, one earned, and struck out eight batters through five innings.

Robert Ravago

Sophomore Torry Mowatt (4-0) threw the final two innings and picked up his third save for the year.

Freshman outfielder Kyle Kilgore and freshman infielder Hayden Cota-Robles each went 2-3. Kilgore hit a double and scored two runs, while Cota-Robles scored a run and drove in one RBI.

In game two, freshman pitcher Jose Gomez (2-2) pitched 3 1/3 innings and picked up the loss.  The righty gave up three earned runs on seven hits.

Sophomore pitcher Robert Ravago threw 4 2/3 shutout innings in relief of Gomez before giving way to Mowatt, who tossed a flawless ninth inning while striking out two.

Again, Kilgore had a pair of hits as he went 2-5, with a double and an RBI.  Freshman third baseman Joseph Haskell also had two hits as he went 2-4, scored a run and drove in one RBI.

The Aztecs lost both games of a road conference doubleheader, March 5, as they were defeated 3-1 and 5-4 by Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Freshman pitcher Julio Felix (1-2) endured the loss in game one, 3-1, going four innings and allowing all three runs.

Sophomore pitcher Eric Fredrick (2-3) got the loss in game two, 5-4, where he gave up three runs on six hits.

Kilgore was the only Pima batter with a multi-hit effort through both games as he went 3-7 on the day.

On March 1, the Aztecs split a home conference doubleheader with No. 15 Yavapai College, 11-1 and 5-3.

In game one, Zuniga tossed a complete game and gave up one run to record the win, 11-1.

Cota led the way at the plate as he hit a triple and drove in four RBIs.

Gomez started game two and picked up the loss, 5-3. Gomez went 5 and 1/3 innings and gave up four runs, one earned, on six hits.

Freshman catcher Marc Gavre was the only bright spot batting as he went 2-4.

The Aztecs had a split weekend against South Mountain Community College on Feb. 26, winning game one, 4-2, and losing the second, 3-1.

Felix started game one and picked up the win, 4-2, going five innings and only giving up one unearned run. Mowatt threw the final two innings, earning the save.

Kilgore and sophomore infielder Jovony Valenzuela each had two hits in the contest and both drove in one RBI.

In game two, Fredrick pitched six innings and earned the loss, 3-1.

Valenzuela and sophomore outfielder Daniel Carpena combined for six hits in the loss as each had three on their own.

Jose Gomez

On Feb. 22, the Aztecs swept a conference doubleheader with Cochise College winning 4-3 in both games.

In game one, Zuniga pitched six and 2/3 innings but didn’t figure in the decision as Mowatt picked up the win out of the bullpen.

Cota was Pima’s top performer at the plate as he went 2-3 with a two-run home run.

Mowatt also earned the win in game two as he relieved Gomez. Mowatt pitched three innings of relief and did not surrender any runs while allowing one hit.

Kilgore was the only Aztec to have a multi-hit effort as he went 2-4, hit a double, scored a run and drove in one RBI.

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ONLINE EXTRA: Baseball continues to pick up wins

Story by JAMES SARGENT
Photo and video by JAMES KELLEY

The Pima Community College baseball team is rolling with a 7-4 record, 3-1 in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.

Pima split a conference doubleheader with Eastern Arizona College on Feb. 19. The Gila Monsters won game one, 12-6, but PCC took the nightcap by winning 13-7.

Freshman Julio Felix (0-1) got the start in game one and picked up the loss giving up seven runs, one earned, through 3 2/3 innings.

Pima freshmen Kyle Kilgore and Hayden Cota-Robles both had good games at the plate as they drove in two RBIs a piece.

In game two, sophomore Erick Fredrick (2-1) earned the win as he pitched 5 2/3 innings while giving up five earned runs.

The offense was led by freshman Mario Sanchez as he drove in five RBIs going 2-for-5.

On Feb. 15, the Aztecs swept Arizona Western College 5-0 and 5-4.

Freshman Keith Zuniga (1-0) earned the win in game one and also struck out eight batters.

Kilgore again led the way at the plate as he chipped in three RBIs.

In game two, sophomore Torry Mowatt (2-0) got the win after throwing three innings of relief.

Cota-Robles drove in all five of the Aztecs’ runs as he went 3-for-5, scored a run and hit a home run.

Pima won one of three games during its first home series of the season on Feb. 11-12.

Juan Vega

The Aztecs played No. 4 Paradise Valley Community College at Kino Stadium, formerly Tucson Electric Park.

The Aztecs lost the first matchup, 7-2, on Feb. 11. They split a doubleheader against PVCC on Feb. 12, with Pima winning the first game 6-4 and losing the second 7-0.

In the Feb. 11 game, Fredrick (1-1) got the loss out of the bullpen. He threw two innings, giving up five runs on three hits. The offense collected five hits in the nonconference loss.

In game one, on Feb. 12, freshman Jose Gomez (2-0) earned the win. He pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief.  Mowatt picked up his first save of the season, pitching 1 1/3 flawless innings to shut the door on the Pumas.

Kilgore and sophomore Cameron Blazevich led the batting. Kilgore went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Blazevich was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

In game two, freshman Juan Vega (1-1) picked up the loss. He gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings.

PCC totaled four hits in the game. Freshman Matt Gavre provided half the Aztec offense, going 2-for-2 at the plate.

Freshman Jose Gomez (2-0) earned the win. He pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief.  Mowatt picked up his first save of the season, pitching 1 1/3 flawless innings to shut the door on the Pumas.

Kilgore and sophomore Cameron Blazevich led the batting. Kilgore went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Blazevich was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

In game two, freshman Juan Vega (1-1) picked up the loss. He gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings.

PCC totaled four hits in the game. Freshman Matt Gavre provided half the Aztec offense, going 2-for-2 at the plate.

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Will you be my sports Valentine? Three years since the big inning for diamond couple

By HANNAH McLEOD
Photo by ANA RAMIREZ

In baseball and softball, there is the saying, “three strikes and you’re out!” but for Aubrey Baldwin and Cameron Blazevich, “three years and still dating” is their saying.

Baldwin is the softball centerfielder for Pima Community College. She has been dating Blazevich, Pima’s baseball catcher, since high school.

They both attended Catalina Foothills High School and met through a mutual friend. Baldwin noticed the shirt Blazevich was wearing at that first introduction.

“I remember him wearing a baseball shirt and that definitely caught my attention,” she said.

Blazevich not only noticed Baldwin, but told a football teammate who was talking to Baldwin that he was going to steal her from him.

“He said to go ahead and try and we’ve been dating ever since,” Blazevich said with a laugh.

After they began dating, Blazevich and Baldwin discovered they are both really good at the sports they play.

“First time I saw him play I was surprised at how good he was,” Baldwin said. “I asked him where he batted in the lineup and he told me that he was lead batter.”

Blazevich had the same reaction to Baldwin’s softball abilities.

“I was surprised at how good she was,” he said.

Despite their skills, both admit they offer advice to each other.

“I usually act like I’m not listening because I am too stubborn, but I do,” Baldwin said. “He’s a catcher and I know nothing of catching, so if I give him advice it is usually light-hearted joking.”

Blazevich agreed. “We both give each other advice, but I’m not always sure if we listen.”

Cameron Blazevich and Aubrey Baldwin

The PCC baseball and softball teams don’t travel together, so Blazevich and Baldwin don’t get to see each other play very much. This makes Blazevich appreciate that they can talk to each other about one another’s games.

“We definitely talk about how our games went, which to me is great because I can talk to her in sports language,” Blazevich said.

Blazevich and Baldwin’s common love for sports has made them both excited for the beginning of their new seasons. The saying for this Valentine’s Day may just be, “Take me out to the ball game!”

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Baseball dominates No. 19 Western Nevada

By JAMES SARGENT
Photo by JAMES KELLEY

Head coach Jason Hisey had the Pima Community College baseball team come out with a bang by snatching three of four against No. 19 Western Nevada College to start the season.

The Aztecs (3-1) won the first three games of the weekend series but dropped the final game 1-0 on Feb. 6. The series was held at a neutral site, Las Vegas.

“We got a good group of new guys and we are real happy with the way things turned out this weekend,” sophomore pitcher Torry Mowatt (1-0) said about the fast start to the season.

“We went up there and had some success with the younger guys,” he added. “A lot of the older guys stepped up and overall it was a good turnout for the weekend.”

Freshman Juan Vega (0-1) started for Pima on Feb. 6, allowing one run through six innings, but he suffered the loss. Sophomore Robert Ravago pitched shutout baseball for the final two innings.

On Feb. 5, the Aztecs took game one of the doubleheader 4-1, then destroyed Western Nevada 11-1 in the nightcap.

Mowatt recorded the win out of the bullpen in game one as he struck out four in 2 1/3 innings of no-hit relief.

“I think I did good,” Mowatt said of his performance. “I would have liked to throw more strikes but as long as we get the job done at the end of the day we’re happy with it.”

Freshman Joseph Haskell went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while sophomore Daniel Carpena also went 2-for-3 but only had one RBI.

Josh Garcia

In the second game, sophomore Eric Fredrick (1-0) earned the win while throwing 5 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out three.

Freshman Hayden Cota-Robles led the way at the plate as he went 3-for-4, scored twice and drove in four RBIs.

On Feb. 4, Pima opened the 2011 campaign with a 4-2 win.

Freshman Jose Gomez (1-0) picked up the victory out of the pen as he threw five innings of one-hit shutout baseball.

The batting stars were freshman Marc Gavre and Jovony Valenzuela, who each had two hits in the season opener. Gavre went 2-for-4 with an RBI while Valenzuela went 2-for-5 and scored two runs.

“I thought that we pitched very well,” Hisey said of his team’s success against Western Nevada College.  “I thought for the most part we played pretty good defense and then we had some timely offense.  I was relatively happy.”

Hisey also said that the players need to continue to improve everyday, and practice will surely help in the desired areas.

The home opener for the Aztecs is Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at Kino Stadium, formerly Tucson Electric Park, against Paradise Valley Community College.  Their on-campus debut will be Feb. 19 versus Eastern Arizona College at noon at the West Campus.

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ATHLETIC VOICE: Why I love baseball

By MYLO ERICKSON

With spring steadily approaching, only one thing comes to mind for me. Baseball!

Even though football is over after Super Bowl Sunday in February, fans still talk about it until games start back up in September. Baseball takes a backseat to football all year long, and I disagree. The spotlight should be on baseball for the uniqueness, longevity and beauty of the game.

Baseball is unique because it’s considered successful if you bat 10 times and only hit in three of those opportunities.  A success rate of .300 wouldn’t be acceptable for other sports or a job.

Baseball is also the only sport in which the defense has possession of the ball. In all other sports, offenses have control of the ball or whatever the sport uses.

It’s also the sport that runs the longest. The season goes from April to October, not counting spring training. When thinking about some of the more physical sports, note they don’t play 165 games a year.

Baseball teams sometimes play two games in a day, and multiple games in a week.

A single game lasts about two hours, but can last longer. The longest game, in 1984, lasted eight hours and six minutes in 25 innings. The length allows you to absorb everything about and around the game while being with family and friends, which makes it beautiful.

The average football game is about three hours, counting commercial time. On average, teams play a little longer but only play once a week.

People talk about the physical devastation that football players endure. That’s true, but it’s not like baseball players don’t get hurt.

Baseball players have pulled muscles, cuts, bumps and bruises. They worry about getting hit by a pitch, or getting hit by a ball put into play, or chasing down a fly ball and running into a wall.

People like the quick pace and constant action of football. There’s nothing like the tension of a tied baseball game going into the final inning, watching two pitchers battle it out, waiting to see who will make the fatal mistake that could cost them the victory.

Baseball has it all: longevity, beauty and uniqueness. I’m not saying that other sports are not worth people’s time. I am just saying that baseball is the only sport for me.

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Former Pima assistant leads rebuilding PCC

Story and photo by JAMES SARGENT

Looking for a fresh start with new head coach Jason Hisey, the Pima Community College baseball team is ready to rebound from a disappointing 21-33-1 record last season.

Hisey was Pima’s pitching coach from 2006-2008. He took the head coaching job after former head coach Edgar Soto stepped down to concentrate on his athletics director duties.

“I really enjoyed my time here,” Hisey said on coming back to Pima. “I like the junior college experience. It gives an opportunity to everybody to have a second chance and play the game for a couple more years.”

Hisey said it was a great experience to work with Soto. “We had some good teams, some good players.”

Before  joining Pima, Hisey coached USA Baseball’s 18-and-under team to a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Cuba. He is also president of the Southern Arizona Baseball Association.

From 1995-2005, Hisey was the head baseball coach at Catalina Foothills High School. He led the Falcons to three state championship games, eight regional titles and a 256-78 win-loss record.

Hisey pitched for the University of Arizona from 1987-1991, then played in the minor leagues from 1991-1993 for the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization.

He has a master’s degree in sports administration from the UA and a bachelor’s degree from UA in exercise sport science.

The Pima baseball program plays in one of the country’s top junior college conferences, the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. Top schools in the conference include Central Arizona, Yavapai, Cochise and South Mountain.

“The entire Division I conference is tough, every game is tough,” Hisey said.

Hisey has great expectations and feels the team is close to having what it takes to make a jump to the next level.

“We just want to play to our potential,” Hisey said. “We want to be the best that we can be, have the kids play hard, give us their best effort every single day and come out with a positive attitude.  That’s all we can ask.”

As for the key players to start the season, Hisey said there are some returning sophomores but it’s very wide open right now.

New baseball head coach Jason Hisey hits baseballs to his new team during practice on Jan. 20.

“We have a lot of incoming freshman competing for jobs,” he said. “Right now I couldn’t tell you who the key guys are going to be. Most of the pitching staff is gone, the entire infield is gone and we are kind of starting over.”

One player who will truly be missed is outfielder Shaun Cooper, who transferred to the University of Utah. He was the Aztecs’ most steady hitter last year and finished sixth in the ACCAC in RBIs with 44.

Last year’s most dominant pitcher was freshman Matt Pavelich. He finished as Pima’s leader in wins with five and was in the top 10 in the ACCAC in ERA, recording a 2.32.

There is no word is on whether Pavelich is returning, since the roster cannot be released until the athletic department completes eligibility checks.

The Aztecs open the season on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas, where they will play five games against Western Nevada College.

Pima’s home opener will be Feb. 11 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, formerly known as Tucson Electric Park.

Pima will also play 10 games at the Kino Sports Complex in March, mostly in the Jack Howell Classic March 16-18. PCC’s normal home field is on the West Campus.

ONLINE EXTRA: Softball signs seven, baseball 10

By RORI A. MOORE

The Pima Community College softball team signed seven high school seniors in a Jan. 15 ceremony at the District Office.

The Aztecs added recruits from six high schools in Southern Arizona: four utility players, two outfielders and one infielder. The recruiting class includes two players from Sabino High School, infielder Aubre Carpenter and utility player Shawna Comeaux.

Armando Quiroz, head coach for four years, is looking forward to the recruits joining the team next year.

“They are all great players and I am excited to have them as a part of the team,” Quiroz said. “We will have a big freshman class next season, and they will have to earn a starting position.”

Quiroz said he and his staff have spent time watching the seniors play, and are convinced they will add to the team’s dynamic.

Pitcher and utility player Yvette Alvarez, from Sahuarita High School, picked Pima over conference rivals Eastern Arizona College and Yavapai College and a junior college in Las Vegas.

Alvarez chose PCC, “because it is close to home. I want to stay close to my family.”

She’s been playing softball since the age of 5, Alvarez said. Her family is athletic, so playing sports comes naturally.

Pima Athletic Director Edgar Soto opened the ceremony by addressing players, family and friends, welcoming them to PCC and the athletic department.

Vice President for Student Development Leticia Menchaca spoke on the importance of being both an athlete and a student.

“We make it difficult for our students not to succeed,” Menchaca said.

After each player signed a letter of intent, binding them to Pima, the recruit received a PCC T-shirt and was welcomed by Quiroz. Recruits took pictures with each other, softball staff and PCC staff.

Quiroz is excited to see what the signees will add to an already strong program. Last season, PCC finished 56-11.

“I am looking forward to next season,” Quiroz said.

The baseball team announced it will sign 10 players but recruits did not attend the ceremony. The Aztecs will add two catchers, an infielder, two utility players and five pitchers.

The list includes two recruits from Nogales High School, catcher Jose Figueroa and pitcher Robert Gonzales, and two from Tucson Magnet High School, pitcher Scott Laughlin and pitcher/outfielder Bryant Munoz.

BASEBALL
C – Alec Beyersdorf, (Catalina Foothills)
C – Jose Figueroa, (Nogales)
RHP – Robert Gonzales, (Nogales)
RHP – Scott Laughlin, (Tucson)
LHP – Brandon Matthews, (Ironwood Ridge)
LHP/OF – Bryant Munoz, (Tucson)
RHP – Ethan Rosebeck, (Cienega)
IF – Joe Serrano, (Salpointe)
RHP – Nick Sharp, (Flowing Wells)
IF/OF – Steven Still, (Ironwood Ridge)

SOFTBALL
P/UT – Yvette Alvarez, (Sahuarita)
IF – Aubre Carpenter, (Sabino)
C/UT – Shawna Comeaux, (Sabino)
OF – Gemma Contreras, (Salpointe)
OF – Chelsea Gourdin, (Marana)
IF/OF – Noelle Medina, (San Manuel)
UT- Amber Urias-Calvillo, (Tucson Magnet)

ONLINE EXTRA: 2011 Baseball results

Photo by JAMES KELLEY

29-27, 19-19 ACCAC

Fri. Feb. 4 vs. Western Nevada College (Las Vegas) W 4-2
Sat. Feb. 5 vs. Western Nevada College (Las Vegas) W 4-1
Sat. Feb. 5 vs. Western Nevada College (Las Vegas) W 11-1
Sun. Feb. 6 vs. Western Nevada College (Las Vegas) L 1-0
Fri. Feb. 11 Paradise Valley CC (Kino Stadium) L 7-2
Sat. Feb. 12 Paradise Valley CC (Kino Stadium) W 6-4
Sat. Feb. 12 Paradise Valley CC (Kino Stadium) L 7-0
Tues. Feb. 15 @ *Arizona Western College W 5-0
Tues. Feb. 15 @ *Arizona Western College W 5-4
Sat. Feb. 19 *EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE L 12-6
Sat. Feb. 19 *EASTERN ARIZONA COLLEGE W 13-7
Tues. Feb. 22 *COCHISE COLLEGE W 4-3
Tues. Feb. 22 *COCHISE COLLEGE W 4-3
Sat. Feb. 26 @ *South Mountain CC W 4-2
Sat. Feb. 26 @ *South Mountain CC L 3-1
Tues. Mar. 1 @ *Yavapai College W 11-1
Tues. Mar. 1 @ *Yavapai College L 5-3
Sat. Mar. 5 @ *Chandler-Gilbert CC L 3-1
Sat. Mar. 5 @ *Chandler-Gilbert CC L 5-4
Tues. Mar. 8 *GLENDALE CC W 6-4
Tues. Mar. 8 *GLENDALE CC L 4-3
Sat. Mar. 12 *GATEWAY CC W 10-1
Sat. Mar. 12 *GATEWAY CC L 11-1
Mon. Mar. 14 INDIAN HILLS (Iowa) CC (Kino Sports Complex) W 8-2
Tues. Mar. 15 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Madison Area (Wisc.) Technical College 4-1
Tues. Mar. 15 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Madison Area (Wisc.) Technical College 8-1
Wed. Mar. 16 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Hill (Texas) College W 3-2
Wed. Mar. 16 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Luna (New Mexico) CC W 10-2
Thurs. Mar. 17 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) New Mexico Junior College L 9-3
Thurs. Mar. 17 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Odessa (Texas) College L 9-8
Fri. Mar. 18 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Western Texas College L 4-1
Fri. Mar. 18 JACK HOWELL CLASSIC (Kino Sports Complex) Midland (Texas) College L 4-0
Sat. Mar. 26 @ *Mesa CC W 5-0
Sat. Mar. 26 @ *Mesa CC W 11-5
Tues. Mar. 29 @ *Phoenix College L 5-2
Tues. Mar. 29 @ *Phoenix College W 4-3
Sat. Apr. 2 @ *Central Arizona College L 4-0
Sat. Apr. 2 @ *Central Arizona College : 6-5
Tues. Apr. 5 *ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE L 10-1
Tues. Apr. 5 *ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE L 10-8
Tues. Apr. 12 @ *Paradise Valley CC L 7-6
Tues. Apr. 12 @ *Paradise Valley CC W 6-5
Thurs. Apr. 14 @ *Eastern Arizona College Noon
Sat. Apr. 16 *SOUTH MOUNTAIN CC L 5-3
Sat. Apr. 16 *SOUTH MOUNTAIN CC W 4-3
Tues. Apr. 19 @ *Yavapai College W 12-7
Tues. Apr. 19 @ *Yavapai College L 8-2
Sat. Apr. 23 @ *Cochise College W 3-2
Sat. Apr. 23 @ *Cochise College W 7-5
Tues. Apr. 26 *SCOTTSDALE CC L 2-1
Tues. Apr. 26 *SCOTTSDALE CC W 6-3
Sat. Apr. 28 @ *Eastern Arizona College L 4-1
Sat. Apr. 28 @ *Eastern Arizona College W 14-2
Sat. Apr. 30 *CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE L 5-4
Sat. Apr. 30 *CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE L 10-9
Thurs. May 5 NJCAA Region I Semifinal @ Central Arizona College L 4-1
Fri. May 6 NJCAA Region I Semifinal @ Central Arizona College L 8-0

Home games in BOLD
*ACCAC Game

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Michael Symsick