As March comes to a close, the Camp Verde High School baseball team will look to keep its momentum going.
Camp Verde coach Will Davis said he wanted his team to minimize their mental mistakes, and the Cowboys responded with a four-game winning streak.
“I think we are making some strides in that area and definitely improving,” Davis said. “They are in the right position the majority of the time, and that has helped us this past week.”
Camp Verde is currently 2-0 in the region and in conference play, good for third in the 2A Central.
The Cowboys outscored their opponents 50-15 during the four-game stretch last week.
“The players have put a lot of work in in practice and I feel like we have been improving every week,” Davis said.
Dominiq Bruno earned the win in Camp Verde’s 8-3 victory on Saturday, March 23.
Dawson McCune registered three runs batted in and two hits in four at-bats.
With the win Saturday, the Cowboys improved to 10-5-1 this season.
Though the Cowboys are streaking, Davis said he does not believe the team has reached its playoff form quite yet.
“I think we still have a ways to go in that regard,” Davis said. “We have to make some adjustments on our plate discipline, as well as our situational awareness moving forward.”
“In-game awareness comes with reps, so once we get that area down, then we will be ready for postseason
play.”
Bruno struck out eight batters and allowed three hits in 5.2 innings.
“Dominiq pitched very well last week, especially on Saturday,” Davis said. “He pitched six strong innings and only walked two batters.”
Davis said he believes sophomore Mason Rayburn has flown under the radar despite having a solid season.
“The way he has defended in our middle infield has meant a lot to our success this year,” Davis said.
“The improvement of our catching staff has also been crucial to us as well,” Davis said. “The two [catchers] have worked hard and they each have improved at that position.”
Senior leadership has been crucial to Camp Verde’s success this season.
“Our seniors have been great, we have a great group that has known each other for a while,” Davis said. “There is never any drama or anything going on so the players have done a really good job.”
For Davis, the Cowboys’ enthusiasm is his favorite aspect of coaching.
“Regardless of the day, they come out to practice every day excited and ready to work,” Davis said. “Watching that youthful enthusiasm and love for baseball is great to see.”
Camp Verde returned to the field on Monday, March 25, to face Northland Preparatory Academy. The score was not available by press time.
“They are the reigning regional champions and only lost one senior from last year,” Davis said. “Northland Prep is the team to beat in this region, so it will definitely show us where we stand in the 2A Central.”
Dakota Battiste, who is 2-0 on the season, took the mound for Camp Verde.
Battiste has a 2.38 earned run average and has struck out 24 batters in 17.2 innings.
The Cowboys’ next home game is on Saturday, March 30, when Camp Verde hosts Scottsdale Preparatory Academy.
“They beat us last year 10-5, so next week will be a big week for us,” Davis said. “Scottsdale Prep currently leads our region and are 7-0 in conference play.”
“With Scottsdale Prep, we have to pitch the ball well. They are a very patient team,” Davis said. “A lot of their runs last year came off walks rather than extra-base hits.”
“They were not really strong in one particular area but they were solid all around and very disciplined. Our pitching has to be in the zone on Saturday.”
Saturday’s first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
