Navajo Pine extended their losing streak (dating back to last season) to 16 on Tuesday, dropping them down to 0-9. They lost 22-3 to the Hozho Academy Wolves. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Wolves this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 18-0 on Tuesday.
Navajo Pine saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Ashkie Begay, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI and one double. Tyler Begay also deserves some recognition as he scored his first run of the season.
As for Hozho Academy, the victory was the third in a row for them, bringing their record up to 12-7. Their hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
On Hozho Academy's side, Trey Tafoya and Adrian Ternes were major factors no matter where they played. Throwing, Tafoya pitched two innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Ternes struck out eight batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. What's more, Tafoya posted five strikeouts, the most he's had since back in March. At bat, Tafoya went 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double, while Ternes went 1-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, Epraim Otero and Philip Elkins did most of the damage at the plate: Otero went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double, while Elkins went a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. Hozho Academy is undefeated when Otero posts two or more runs, but 5-7 otherwise. Nico Cousens was another key player, going 2-for-3 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
We've got plenty of inter-district action coming up soon. Navajo Pine will challenge rival Laguna Acoma at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hozho Academy is set to take on their familiar foe Jemez Valley at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
