Big Bend Now » Sports

Alpine Cowboys lead Taos Blizzards in series

jdgarcia — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:58:04 +0000

ALPINE – After rolling into town from Alamagordo from a five-game series with the White Sands Pupfish without much time to spare, the weary Alpine Cowboys fended off the Taos Blizzards for 11 innings in their opening home game at Kokernot Field on Sunday, May 19.

(Photo by Karen Boehler) Alpine Cowboys Mike Castrignano started for Alpine, but got no decision in five innings against The White Sands Pup Fish.

Despite their exhaustion, the Cowboys started off strong, with Joel Carranza bringing home three runs in the first inning with a home run and the team scoring four more runs in the fourth.

The Cowboys were held off from scoring any more runs by the Blizzards, who began to catch up with through the ninth inning, forcing the game into overtime with a 7-7 tie.

After having exhausted their bullpen, the Cowboys’ final relief pitcher, Carlos Camacho held off the Blizzards at the top of the 11^th inning, bringing Taos’ third relief pitcher, Sam Briend, to the mound. With a Cowboys double and a walk, Derrick Fox caught the ball for a single, bringing Logan Lotti home for the win.

The Cowboys met the Blizzards at Kokernot field the next day for the second of their four games in the series.

Both teams held each other off for the first two innings, as Alpine starter Brad Orsey and Taos pitcher Tyler Stuckey ended each inning quickly.

Taos took the lead in the top of the third inning with three runs and allowed Alpine two in the bottom of the inning.

Taos began slipping in the fourth and fifth, allowing a total of ten Cowboys to reach home plate, a story for the Blizzards that continued

(Photo by Karen Boehler) In Alpine Cowboys vs. The White Sands Pup Fish game in Alamogordo, Cowboy Mark Leacox gets the out at third.

as Taos reliever Mike Russo allowed seven runs with only one hit in the fifth.

The next three innings were scoreless for the Cowboys, but the deficit was too deep for the Blizzards, who managed to add two more runs in the seventh inning, to regain control of the game, which ended with a 15-5 final score.

The Blizzards were able to take the third game in the series with a score of 11-7.

The Cowboys will face off against the Pecos League leaders the Roswell Invaders for a four game series beginning tonight at 7pm.

Barriga coach of year, players are all district

jdgarcia — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:20:37 +0000

Mustangs end Blue Devil season

PRESIDIO – The Presidio Blue Devils varsity baseball team fell to the Andrews Mustangs in post-season play last week, but Coach Cesar Barriga and a host of student athletes were showered with district honors.

(photos by CARMEN RUBNER) Blue Devil Luis Loya leaps to tag out a Mustang at base during this past weekend’s contest.

In a best-of-three series, the ponies won game one 3-1, Big Blue shut out the Mustangs 2-0 in game two, but Andrews came back in game three 6-2 to advance toward state.

Barriga took the District 3-3A coach of the year honor for 2013, his first one being awarded in 2010. He’s been the Blue Devil varsity baseball and basketball coach the past 14 years.

The coach is sharing the spotlight with team members in the 2013 all-district selections as voted on by District 3-3A baseball coaches and confirmed by the District Executive Committee.

Most Valuable Player: Jaime Bustamante.

1st Team Pitcher: Angel Palomo.

1st Team Outfielder: Ricardo Ortiz.

2nd Team Pitcher: Justin Hankins.

2nd Team 3rd Base: Alexis Amancio.

Utility Player of the Year: Antonio Ortiz.

Blue Devil pitcher Jaime Bustamante in action this past weekend.

Honorable Mention: Luis Loya and Luis Carrarsco.

“Congratulations to all the Blue Devils for a job well done throughout the season,” Coach Barriga said. “The Blue Devils were able to bring home multiple championships including the 2013 Monahans Sandhills Tournament, Midland Greenwood Baseball Classic and this year’s 2013 District 3-3A Championship. Good job to the Blue Devils and good luck to the outgoing seniors as they pursue their careers in college.

“A big thanks goes out there to all the support we got throughout our season,” he added. “Hard work pays off!”

Alpine Cowboys opening home game Sunday

jdgarcia — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:10:47 +0000

ALPINE – The Alpine Cowboys will play their home-game opener at 6:05pm on Sunday, May 19 at the historic Kokernot Field.

The Cowboys will face off against the Taos Blizzards for the first game in a series of four following the recognition of youth and high school baseball and softball teams at the diamond. Retired Major League pitcher and three-time American League All-Star Jim Kern will throw out the first pitch.

The games on May 20, 21, and 22 will begin at 7:05pm.

Grab a Big Bend Brewing Company beer, some nachos, and root for the home team!

General admission is $6 and box seats are $10. Tickets can be bought at http://alpine.pecosleague.com/ or at the box office at Kokernot Field.

Blue Devils face Mustangs for area title Friday

jdgarcia — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:19:22 +0000

By SHAWN ADAMS

PRESIDIO, ALPINE, ANDREWS -The Presidio Blue Devils will travel to Alpine on Friday to face the Andrews Mustangs in a best-of-three series for the area baseball title.

Historic Kokernot Field is the state playoff site, and the series begins at 7pm Friday.

Game two will be played at noon Saturday. If a third game is needed, it will begin 30 minutes after game two.

Last year the Mustangs eliminated the Blue Devils in the bi-district round. “Andrews is a tough team that is returning seven starters from last year” said Presidio Coach Cesar Barriga. “They are a solid overall team in all aspects of the game.

“It will be a great challenge for our team and hopefully we can compete throughout the series,” said the coach. “Our team is very excited about getting the opportunity to compete against a good team in the playoffs”

The Blue Devils are coming off a warm-up victory against Tornillio last week.

“Our team is determined to continue playing good solid baseball after capturing the 3-3A district championship several weeks ago,” Barriga said. “Hopefully it will carry on throughout our playoff series this weekend.”

Fans in our community and around the area are invited to come out and support our Blue Devils Baseball team. Good Luck to the Blue Devils!

Baseball diamonds to open in time for summer games

jdgarcia — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:03:25 +0000

PRESIDIO – A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new baseball fields will take place at 6pm on Friday, May 10, just in time for the Presidio Youth Baseball League to take the diamond and play ball.

The inaugural game has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 with a yet-to-be-determined line-up.

Mayor Obed Escontrias will cut the ribbon and dedicate the field, whose new lights will be up-and-running just in time for the game.

Cowboys baseball season begins next week

jdgarcia — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:17:34 +0000

By JOHN DANIEL GARCIA

ALPINE – Summer time in the Big Bend region is just around the corner, and along with the temperatures rising and the tourists rolling en masse through the cities and parks in the desert, the Alpine Cowboys will begin their third season with the Pecos Baseball League (and fifth season since the reformation of the team) as they face off against the White Sands Pupfish in a five-game series at Griggs Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Tuesday, May 14.

Before they begin the 2013 season, the public is invited to meet the players at the Holland Hotel Century Bar & Grill at 6pm Monday in Alpine.

The team will be following up the series against the Pupfish with an opening home game at the historic Kokernot Field against the Taos Blizzards on Sunday, May 19 at 6:05pm with retired Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Kern throwing out the first pitch.

Kern pitched in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1986, beginning and ending his career with the Cleveland Indians. Kern hurled for the Texas Rangers between 1979 and 1981. He was chosen for the American League All-Star squad three times and was named one of the greatest players for the Texas Rangers in 2006 by Lone Star Ball, a website dedicated to Texas baseball.

The organization will also be recognizing Big Bend Little League and Softball teams, as well as the Alpine Bucks and Lady Bucks ball teams prior to the start of the game.

Since the 2009 return of professional baseball to Alpine, the Cowboys have seen 13 players move to higher independent leagues, with three of those players signed into contract by Major League farm teams.

This year’s starting squad features the return of original Cowboys left-handed pitcher Mike Castrignano, right-handed pitcher Brad Orosey, second baseman Derrick Fox, and outfielder Erik Herman, among others.

“We have a good group this year,” said Cowboys manager Ryan Stevens. “They’re possibly the most athletic team we’ve had. We expect good quality defense and great pitching.”

As for his expectations this year, Stevens believes “… anything less than a championship is unacceptable.”

This will also be the first season in the history of Alpine baseball in which sponsored banners will hang in the ballpark’s outfield.

General admission for home games is $6 and box seats are $10 per game. Season tickets are available for $200 general admission and $1250 for four box seats for all 35 home games. Concessions include traditional baseball fare, including nachos, hot dogs, and beer.

For information on sponsorships, contact General Manager Kristin Cavness by e-mail at kristin@ellysonabstract.com. Tickets can be purchased through the Alpine Cowboys at http://alpine.pecosleague.com/.

Lady Shorthons bow out of state playoffs

jdgarcia — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:13:53 +0000

MARFA – The Marfa Lady Shorthorns varsity softball team, this year’s district champion with an 8-1 record, fell to the Haskell Maidens in the area round of the state playoffs last week.

Meeting on neutral turf in Midland in a best-of-three series, Team Marfa was defeated by Haskell 13-3 on Thursday and 10-0 on Friday.

(photos by and courtesy of TERRY NORMAN) Joselyn Lujan reaches home plate during Friday’s game as Haskell fans cheer in the background.

“The ball definitely didn’t “bounce” our way, but I felt that going a best of three series with our young team was a good experience for the girls,” said Marfa coach Linda Ojeda.

Game highlights included a solo homerun by Amy Hernandez, and 2-for-2 hitting by Bree’Anna Daugherty and Codie Raby in the first game. Marissa Garcia was 3-5 in the series, while Kiarra Petterson scored two runs for Marfa in the first game as a courtesy runner for Garcia. Jenna Conners had a deep single in the first game.

And while no team relishes in a loss, what this year’s area playoff game will be remembered for is the sportsmanship of both teams, and the homerun by Lady Shorthorn Joslyn Lujan, a special needs student athlete and MHS class of 2013 graduate.

With the end of game two in the fifth inning and Marfa surrendering to the 10-run mercy rule, senior Joslyn Lujan came up to bat for her first and final playoff appearance. With the Haskell Maidens shortening up the field, Haskell’s lefty pitched a strike up the middle, and Lujan drove it toward second base, generating loud cheers and applause from Haskell and Marfa’s fans, Haskell’s players, and the Lady Horns’ bench.

While rounding first and second base, Lujan was cheered on by everyone until she reached home plate, where her teammates waited to congratulate her on her first-ever homerun. Umpires, parents, teammates, and coaches were all in tears over the inspirational display of sportsmanship by everyone involved.

Second baseman Niandrah Aguilar and pitcher Marissa Garcia try to make a play on a ball.

Said Ojeda: I’m not sure why it was such an emotional event for everyone involved. When Coach Amy White went over to ask the coach if we could do this for Joslyn, she said she got choked up even asking him.

“The coach was good with it and when Joslyn was up to bat, that’s when I feel the emotion hit all of us and maybe now I understand why,” Ojeda said. “It was emotional because it’s obvious that we don’t coach or teach to be rich, famous, or ruthless athletes. We do it to teach these young ladies to be good people, hard working, disciplined, good human beings, competitors with good morals, and what happened out at the field, that was success; success for Marfa, for Haskell, and for everyone who understood what was happening. It would be nice to always win, but when you see such wonderful sportsmanship happening right in front of you, it’s hard to feel like a loser.”

The Lady Horns will not only be losing Lujan to graduation, but it was also the last game Jenna Conners, Lucy Marquez, and Codie Raby would play in a Marfa Shorthorn Jersey. All girls were major contributors to the Marfa program this year and it is going to be difficult to replace their talents and leadership. The girls will be missed throughout the Marfa Athletic program because these girls were multi-sport athletes.

A herd of Lady Horns earned all district honors:

Defensive MVP: Marissa Garcia – sophomore / pitcher.

Offensive MVP: Jennifer Connors – senior / centerfield.

Frst team all district – BREE’ ANNA DAUGHERTY – SOPHOMORE.

First team all district – DAYCIA O’DONNELL – JUNIOR.

First team all district catcher – CODIE RABY – SENIOR.

Second team all district – NIANDRA AGUILAR – FRESHMAN.

Second team all district– LUCY MARQUEZ – SENIOR.

Presidio track athletes advance to regional meet

jdgarcia — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:23:21 +0000

PHS track stars, front from left, Daina Olivas and Viviana Guerrero and back from left, Taylor Galliete and Karen Casas.

PECOS, PRESIDIO – On Friday, April 19, the boys and girls track teams competed in the Area track meet at Pecos.

Once again the kids did a great job competing and advancing to the regional track meet. The team received a bunch of compliments about their performance and behavior.

“As coaches we are very happy and proud of these kids,” said Coach Marco Lujan, “If you see them around please let them know they are doing a good job of representing our school.” The boys and girls track teams competed at the Regional Track meet in Lubbock on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.

Karen Casas, Diana Olivas, Taylor Galliete, and Viviana Guerrero qualified for the regional meet in the 4x100m relay, coming in 3rd. Guerrero placed 2^nd in the 100m dash and Galliete placed 2^nd in the 400m dash, both advancing.

The boy’s 4x100m and 4×200 relay teams, both made up of Balam Olivas, James Jaime, Ricardo Ortiz, Alberto Fernandez advanced, coming in 3^rd in 4x100m relay and 4^th in the 4x200m relay. Jaime also advanced in the 200m dash, coming in 3^rd place.

Shot putter Charles Schaefer qualified for the regional meet with a 2^nd place finish, and Jaime and Olivas, finishing 3^rd and 4^th, respectively, also advanced for their long jump performances.

The PHS 4 x 100m track team, from left, Balam Olivas, Ricardo Ortiz, Alberto Fernandez, and James Jaime.

Soccer league offering Barclay camp scholarship

jdgarcia — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:27:57 +0000

ALPINE – The Mike Barclay Soccer Camp Scholarship is being offered by the Big Bend Youth Soccer Association.

To qualify for a need-based soccer camp scholarship of up to $120 this summer, July 29-August 2, please send an essay of 100 words or less as to why you should receive such scholarship.

Please submit with essay, your name, grade you will be in the fall of 2013, parent/guardian name, phone number, and physical and e-mail address to BBYSA/ATTN: Scholarship/P.O. Box 562/Alpine, TX 79831.

Letters must be postmarked by May 4, 2013. For more information contact jjmillerjr1964@sbcglobal.net or www.bigbendsoccer.com.

Marfa Little League players vs. parents game to fund state tournament trip

jdgarcia — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:27:16 +0000

MARFA – The Marfa Youth Baseball Association and the Marfa Dodgers Little League team present the first annual Little League players vs. parents game at 7pm on Friday at Coffield Park.

Coach Jason Reid will introduce the Marfa Dodgers team members to the community prior to the match.

A concession stand and hamburger sale will be on-site at the park. All proceeds will go toward funding the upcoming Dodgers trip to the State Little League Tournament in Harker Heights.

The community is urged to come out and support the young men who will represent Marfa Little League this summer.