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Tucson High second baseman Jacob Federico tips his hat to the crowd (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
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The dream of hosting a first-class all-star game in Southern Arizona began a few months ago when several area baseball coaches, led by Rincon/University head coach Ernie Palomarez, resurrected the Southern Arizona Baseball Coaches Association.
The process of turning the dream to reality was made possible thanks to the work and tireless dedication of Bill Leith of the Kino Baseball League (KBL). Leith had access to Kino Stadium, generous sponsors such as Garb Athletics (uniforms), OC SPORTS (caps) and Pro Nine (baseballs) and the reputation of getting things done, especially when it benefits youth baseball.
Palomarez ran a couple of all-star games a generation ago at Hi Corbett but he found it difficult to provide the experience the top-level baseball players and their parents deserved such as uniforms and caps. Remarkably, Sam Bredis of Garb Athletics came through this year.
Bredis provided the “Teal” and “Copper” uniforms that will be worn this week, some 60 in all. A graduate of Catalina and the University of Arizona, Bredis made the trip back from California where he works to be personally on hand to witness the game he helped create. And oh what a game it was.
Tuesday was opening night of the dream and it featured Division II “Futures” made up of two teams of undergraduates from Southern Arizona. Catalina Foothills coach Jim Baldwin led Team Copper and Tucson High assistant George Arias managed Team Teal.
Almost 50 athletes took part (rosters listed below) in a game that started out like it would be all offense but ended three hours later in an 11-inning thriller that was won via a walk with the bases loaded to give Copper a 5-4 win.
Jacob Federico (Tucson) and Tristan Peterson (CDO) hit back-to-back triples in the top of the first to help pace Teal to an early 2-0 lead. Max Christoff (Sabino) reached on an infield hit in the bottom of the second and scored on an error later in the inning to cut the lead down to 2-1.
Teal would tack on two more in the third with a triple by Nick Gonzales (Cienega) scoring Stan Berryhill (Mountain View). Federico brought home Gonzales on a fielder’s choice.
But that was it. Teal would not score the rest of the game with a series of six pitchers holding the team to two hits.
Meanwhile, Nick Estrella (Ironwood Ridge) scored Derek Daly (Ironwood Ridge) in the fourth to cut the lead down to 4-2 and Copper would tie it up with two runs in the sixth. Daly, Jake Lialios (Sabino) and Edgar Ambriz (Nogales) hit back-to-back-to-back singles to fuel the comeback.
Originally scheduled for nine innings, the coaches got together and decided to play until someone won. Copper had the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth with no outs thanks to a leadoff single by Fernando Gonzalez (Foothills) and two intentional walks.
The intentional walks proved to be a brilliant coaching move after Spencer Packard (CDO) induced a double play to erase the runner at home and the batter at first.
Another intentional walk loaded the bases again for Marcos Larranaga (Sunnyside). Larranaga delivered on sure game-winner but his screamer to right was caught by a diving Kevin Jimenez (Nogales).
Copper left two on in the 10th but they would not be denied in the bottom of the 11th.
Gonzalez reached on an infield hit and Rob Campillo followed with a double to left but Gonzalez was gunned down at home. Campillo took third on the throw home. Campillo’s hit prompted two more intentional walks to load the bases with one out.
It looked like the game was going to go to the 12th after a strikeout left Copper with two outs but Adam Moraga (Sunnyside) worked his pitch count full and was walked to bring in Alfredo Villa (Rincon) who was running for Campillo.
Cody Treatch (Mountain View) picked up the win with both teams sending a total of 17 pitchers to the mound with two more waiting in the bullpen.
The Division II Seniors will play Wednesday night (see schedule below) in what should be a another wild game.
Kino Baseball League presents Southern Arizona High School All-Star Games
GarbAthletics/ OC SPORTS
Southern Arizona High School All-Star Games
Presented by Kino Baseball League
Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium: May 26-29: 7 PM
Wednesday, May 27: 7 PM (Division 2 Seniors)
Thursday, May 28: 7 PM (Division 3 +4 Seniors)
Friday, May 29: 7 PM (Division 3 + 4 Futures)
Admission
Adults $4.00 each
Students 17 and under FREE
Officials and Coaches with AIA picture ID + one guest FREE
Re-entry permitted provided game day ticket is shown to gate staff
DIVISION II SENIORS
TEAM COPPER
Coach: Keith Francis, CDO
Nick Ames, CDO
Eric Migueles, CDO
Max Smith, CDO
Anthony DeNiro, Foothills
Dominic DeNiro, Foothills
Francisco Dicochea, Cienega
Oziel Aleman, Douglas
Blaze Rose, Douglas
Andrew Brooks, Ironwood Ridge
Travis Howard, Marana
Jared Guizzetti, Mt. View
Isaac Lopez, Nogales
Jacobo Somoza, Nogales
Sergio Cordova, Pueblo
Dalys Binder, Rincon/UHS
Cole Davis, Rincon/UHS
Seth Hodgeson, Sabino
Phillip Hindes, Sahuaro
Dylan Sanchez, Sahuaro
Brandon Holbert, Sahuaro
Joseph Escarcega, Sunnyside
Miguel Figueroa, Tucson
TEAM TEAL
Coach: Danny Preble, Salpointe
Brady Badart, Foothills
Jeffrey Arsola, Cholla
Francisco Romo, Douglas
Matt Baker, Ironwood Ridge
Michael Franzese, Ironwood Ridge
Bradley Gonzalez, Marana
Carlos Lopez, Mt. View
Marcus Munoz, Nogales
Marco Prieto, Pueblo
Jesse Valenzuela, Pueblo
Nick Steelman, Rincon/UHS
Bernie Silverman, Rincon/UHS
Nolan Richards, Sabino
Matt Zaleski, Sabino
Jio Orozco, Salpointe
Donny Sands, Salpointe
Ernesto Romero, Salpointe
Jesus Bracamonte, Sunnyside
Carlos Moreno, Sunnyside
Joe Marquez, Tucson
Trevelle Hill, Tucson
DIVISION II FUTURES
TEAM COPPER
Coach, Jim Baldwin, Foothills
Carter Kahn, CDO
Fernando Gonzalez, Foothills
Troy Gutbub, Foothills
Izzy Carrillo, Cienega
Najee Gaskins, Cienega
Marcus Mendez, Desert View
Javier Boroquez, Douglas
Derek Daly, Ironwood Ridge
Nick Estrella, Ironwood Ridge
Nick Tinsley, Marana
Gabe Gordon, Mtn. View
Cody Treatch, Mtn. View
Edgar Ambriz, Nogales
Jesus Solis, Nogales
Jesse Vasquez, Pueblo
Alfredo Villa, Rincon/UHS
Max Christoff, Sabino
Jake Lialios, Sabino
Stockton Pringle, Sahuaro
Rob Campillo, Salpointe
Marcos Larranaga, Sunnyside
Adam Moraga, Sunnyside
Kyle Rivera, Tucson
TEAM TEAL
Coach, George Arias, Tucson
Spencer Packard, CDO
Tristan Petersen, CDO
Chandler Thomas, Foothills
Tyler Black, Cienega
Nick Gonzales, Cienega
Esequiel Alvarez, Desert View
Andres Mendoza, Desert View
Jacob Ortega, Douglas
Zarib Villa, Douglas
Jake Engel, Ironwood Ridge
Spencer Henegar, Marana
Stan Berryhill, Mtn View
Richard Delgado, Mtn View
Kevin Jimenez, Nogales
Caiden Coates, Pueblo
Francisco Gomez, Pueblo
Jacob Smutzer, Rincon/UHS
Matt Coyle, Sabino
Tommy Garcia, Salpointe
Brandon Hance, Salpointe
Christopher Celaya, Sunnyside
Jose Contreras, Tucson
Jacob Federico, Tucson
DIVISION III/IV SENIORS
TEAM COPPER
Coach: Sam Gelardi, Sahuarita
Richard Elias, Amphi
Garrett Tanner, Benson
Eric Sproule, Bisbee
Raymond Roseler, The Gregory School
Jordan Casey, Palo Verde
Taylor Schull, Palo Verde
Gabe Salcido, Pusch Ridge
Sebastian Robles, Rio Rico
Antonio Rodriguez, Rio Rico
Louis Lopez, Safford
Alonso Martinez, Sahuarita
Sati Santa Cruz, Sahuarita
Branden Sanchez, Tombstone
Jacob Romero, Valley Union
Vidal Urtuzuaztegui, Valley Union
Chris Kouris, Walden Grove
Brandon Urias-Buono. Walden Grove
TEAM TEAL
Coach: Dave Humphreys, Amphi
Devon Pilgrim, Amphi
Ivan Deogean, Amphi
Manny Ramirez, Bisbee
RJ Villalobos, Catalina
Jared Cochran, Catalina
Danny Hunt, Palo Verde
Luke Haines, Pusch Ridge
Chris Lopez, Rio Rico
Jorge Olivarria, Rico
Jesus Olguin, Santa Rita
Omar Rodriguez, Santa Rita
Heath Motes, Thatcher
Harrison Heeren, Tombstone
Daniel Alegria, Walden Grove
Daniel Diaz, Willcox
Chris Granado, Willcox
Jake Whitfield, Willcox
DIVISION III/IV FUTURES
TEAM COPPER
Coach: Larry Wainscott, Coolidge
Michael Delgado, Amphi
Tyson Coleman, Benosn
Miguel Galvez, Bisbee
Trenton Davis, Coolidge
Thomas Rico, Coolidge
Tracer Wainscott, Coolidge
Brett Grabosch, Desert Christian
Jacob Rosson, Desert Christian
Oliver Harris, Pusch Ridge
Aaron Noller, Pusch Ridge
Chris Owens, Safford
Jaime Estrada, Safford
Jake Teso, Sahuarita
Sergio Santa Cruz, Sahuarita
Cameron Gianforte, Santa Rita
Ariel Jaime, St. Augustine
Max Navarette, St. Augustine
Phillip Dimas, tanque Verde
Daniel Gonzalez, Tombstone
Jose Ortega, Tombstone
Jaret Luzania, Valley Union
Wright Avant, Walden Grove
Trevor Long, Willcox
Austin Stamback, Willcox
TEAM TEAL
Coach: Mo Duran, Rio Rico
Ivan Murillo, Amphi
Manny Murillo, Amphi
Geegan Graf, Benson
Nick Hernandez, Benson
Spencer Schuller, Bisbee
Obed Cordova, Bisbee
Barrett Greene, Desert Christian
Keanu Calamayan, Empire
Isacc Olguin, Palo Verde
Miguel Escobar, Rio Rico
Daniel Quijada, Rio Rico
Alvaro Barnett, Rio Rico
Luis Soto, Rio Rico
Rigio Leon, Sahuarita
Brandon Rodriguez, Sahuarita
Rickey Borquez, Santa Rita
Max Fimbres, St. Augustine
Miguel Carbajal, St. Augustine
Dillion Dahl, Tombstone
Sean Hahn, Valley Union
Jose Gamez, Valley Union
Brent Valenti, Walden Grove
Cesar Garcia, Walden Grove
Alex Torres, Willcox
BOYS TRACK & FIELD ALL-STARS
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD ALL-STARS
BOYS TENNIS ALL-STARS
GIRLS TENNIS ALL-STARS
SPRING GOLF ALL-STARS
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL ALL-FRESHMAN TEAMS
Discuss this post in our Talk of Tucson Message Board
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here, on AZPreps365.com and on the pages of the Vail Voice and the Tanque Verde Voice. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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