Shiprock rallies around pitching staff to team title

THOREAU

The Shiprock Chieftains got steady contributions from its bullpen to claim this year’s Thoreau Hawk Invitational last week.

The Chieftains (11-1) posted three wins and outscored their opponents 24-4, including last Saturday’s 8-0 shutout in the championship game against the Hot Springs Tigers.

Shiprock coach Alfred Baer said his team did a good job at pitching during the three-day tournament, especially when their bats went to sleep at times.

“Our pitching was superb and we threw three good outings and that was the difference in the game,” Baer said of the championship game. “If we could have hit (the ball) the margin would have been much wider.”

Shiprock used three different pitchers during the tournament and on Saturday senior Cameron Phillips dictated things as he nearly shutdown the Hot Spring lineup.

“He’s good and he throws hard,” Baer said of senior right-hander. “He’s dedicated.”

Working with an effective fastball, Phillips held the Tigers to one hit while striking 12 of the 24 batters he faced.

“I liked how my defense backed me when I threw some bad pitches,” Phillips said. “I left some pitches down the middle and the defense was there behind me.”

After two scoreless innings, Shiprock got on board when outfielder Matheau Duncan scored on a wild pitch.

The Chieftains added two more runs in the fourth with its biggest hit coming from Dylan Begay. With a full count, Begay hit an RBI double in right-center, scoring senior Arjay Miller.

Next-at-bat, Julian Aspaas hit a grounder in centerfield for another double that scored Begay. In an attempt to get an extra base, Aspaas was cut off at third and he was eventually rundown.

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