Just a couple of errors separated Camp Verde Middle School eighth-grader Dominic Bruno from no-hitting the Clarkdale-Jerome School in their Verde Valley League opener Thursday, Feb. 26.
Fielding mistakes allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate, as Bruno, the No. 1 starter for new Cowboys head coach Nate Jackson, also went three for four at the plate in a 14-2 home win over the Mingus Rams.
“He was, basically, just a force to be reckoned with,” Jackson said. “The other team had some injuries — their No. 1 guy was hurt with arm problems, and they were trying to fill that hole — but Dominic, I think, is out in front of the competition, league-wide.”
Shortstop Dakota Battise also hit safely three out of his four at-bats, while fellow eighth-grader Noah Church called his shot and added another hit for the Cowboys. The game was called due to darkness before the bottom of the sixth inning.
“His power is unbelievable,” Jackson said. “I still think he has got one of the best mechanical swings on the team.”
Jackson, who took over for former head coach Spencer Young after two seasons, remains at third base while parent volunteer Colby Cook calls the shots as first base coach. He inherits a solid core of five eighth-graders that lost just three games last season, including two to Cottonwood and only one to a league opponent, Big Park Community School — falling to the Coyotes in the tournament after a regular-season sweep.
For the full story and season schedule, please see the Wednesday, March 4, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
