Few things are better than enacting revenge to their rivals, and Camp Verde baseball thinks no different.
After falling 11-2 to the Scorpions on April 17 last season, Camp Verde defeated Sedona Red Rock High 14-2 on Friday, April 5.
The Cowboys got off to a hot start in the first inning and jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
Camp Verde’s defense held Sedona scoreless in the first two innings, while the Cowboys extended their lead to 4-0.
Sedona freshmen Israel McGrath and Addison Lacaire scored in the third inning, cutting the Cowboys lead to 4-2.
Camp Verde broke the game open in the third inning, as their offense scored eight runs to lead 12-2.
The Cowboys held Sedona scoreless in the fourth inning and added two runs to lead 14-2.
Sedona walked Cowboys batters on 13 at-bats Friday and registered an earned run average of six.
With the win, Camp Verde improves to 14-6-1 this season and 6-1 in conference play.
Sedona drops to 4-7 with the loss and is currently fifth in the region.
Dakota Battise earned the start for Camp Verde and allowed two earned-runs in five innings.
Battise earned the win after striking out seven Scorpions batters and allowing only one hit.
Scorpions batters only hit .077 against Battise in their 13 at-bats.
Dawson McCune registered three hits in three at-bats, good for three runs batted in and three runs.
The Cowboys are well represented in the 2A Central leaderboards as McCune’s 31 RBIs lead the region.
“Our offense was good last season, but it improved tremendously during the offseason,” Davis said.
Rounding out the top three in RBIs are teammates Dominiq Bruno and Braden Schuh with 19 apiece.
Bruno currently leads the 2A Central in both runs [30] and home runs [2].
This season, the Cowboys batting average is .375, up from Camp Verde’s .350 average in 2018.
The Cowboys have also improved their on-base percentage from .465 in 2018 to .490 this season.
Freshman Cole Gillespie accumulated two rbis and two hits in two at-bats against Sedona.
“The improvement from Gillespie and junior Kelton O’Grady has been monumental for us,” Davis said. “Having those two push each other from the catcher position has definitely helped the team.”
With the win, the Cowboys have won four consecutive matchups, all of them by double-figures.
“I feel like the team has improved week end and week out for the entire season,” Camp Verde coach Will Davis said.
“The quality of opponent has helped in a couple matches, but we have been putting in many hours in practice and it is paying off.”
During the Cowboys winning streak, Camp Verde has outscored its opponents 66-2.
The Cowboys defense held opponents scoreless for 17 consecutive innings during its hot streak.
The win also gives the Cowboys a 3-1 region record, putting Camp Verde in a tie with Northland Prep atop the 2A Central.
“I think we are definitely improving on cutting out our mistakes,” Davis said. “Once we have that mastered, then I believe the team will be close to its playoff form.”
Since falling to Kingman on Saturday, March 9, Camp Verde has reeled off wins in eight of their last nine games.
“The more games we play, the better as far as handling in-game situations,” Davis said. “Once we accomplish that, I think we are ready for the postseason.”
Up next for the Cowboys is a date with Anthem Prep on Thursday, April 11.
The Anthem Prep Eagles are currently 7-1 on the year and 3-1 in section play.
Last time these two teams squared off, Camp Verde defeated Anthem Prep 13-3 on April 10 last season.
Camp Verde’s next home game is Friday, April 12, when the Cowboys host North Point Prep.
Cowboys senior night is Thursday, April 25, when Camp Verde welcomes Glendale Prep Academy.
Both games are
