Ariz. 3A North softball

T he 6th Annual 3C's/Bojos Winslow Softball Tournament included six of 3A North softball teams last weekend and was won by the host Lady Bulldogs, and the 16-team tournament provided a snapshot of region teams.

Winslow is the defending 3A North champion and coach Becky Barris has everyone back from last year's state semifinals team.

"We have 10 solid kids back that can start and play any position and we've never been this solid at every position before," Barris said. "We got solid pitching, we have great speed and we have power hitters and our outfielders are very fast."

With only one senior, Winslow could be a top contender.

"Definitely we're one of the favorites," Barris said. "There are a lot of great teams out there and Santa Cruz is one of them.

"You have watch out for Blue Ridge," she said, "and one team no one is talking about is Estrella Foothills. They have a freshman pitcher and two outstanding freshmen on the team, but we're right up there with them."

Last year, Winlsow lost to Santa Cruz in the semifinals, 14-4. It was the farthest Winslow has ever made it into the state bracket.

"We're not satisfied with the lost last year," Barris said. "We're definitely disappointed in losing to Santa Cruz. We just kind of fell apart in that game,

"We look back at that and kind of look at what we could've done differently that would help us move into the championship game and we learned from that."

A key player for Winslow is starting pitcher Jennifer Yazzie, a junior, last year's 3A North Region player of the year.

Other key players include junior Felicia Nelson at shortstop; junior Bernice Grover at left field; and sophomore Gabby Stacey, who switched from second base to catcher.

Last year Winslow finished 32-5 overall and 9-0 in conference.

Tuba City

Tuba City finished as runner-up in the conference with a 5-2 record last year, but fell to Santa Cruz in the first round of the state tournament, 5-1.

This year Tuba City is looking to rebuild under first-year head coach Jonathon Yazzie.

"I'm just going to look at improving fundamentals, individual skills and then building team skills," Yazzie said.

Leading the team are pitcher Charnelle Williams, shortstop LaShanda Benally and catcher Nicole Yellow. All are seniors.

Yazzie said that Yellow is one of the region's top catchers.

"Definitely Nicole is one of the best catchers in 3A North conference," Yazzie said. 'She can see the field from where she's at, she knows the game and is a team leader."

Yazzie said Winslow is the favorite to win the region title, but Window Rock could challenge.

Holbrook

Last year Holbrook went winless in conference, but this year, with an experienced team, Holbrook head coach Monty Flack says his team should compete for the region title.

"We have better talent than last year," Flack said. "We just need to know how to play this game. We need to know how to win this game. It's a simple game, but they make it harder for themselves.

"We have some solid ball players and I expect to win every time we step on the field," he said.

Key players for Holbrook are catcher Meagan Pender, Rietta Wagoner at first base and pitcher Corey Gillespie.

The Lady Roadrunners lost their starting pitcher, Kathelena Manygoats, to a knee injury in basketball and will use two freshmen on the mound.

"Both are inexperienced and that will be our problem for us," Flack said.

Flack says Winslow is the favorite.

Chinle

Head coach Andrea Yazzie returns to Chinle after four years to take over a team that she doesn't know much about.

What she does know is that the seniors will lead the team. However, Chinle lost their senior catcher, Raynelle Tso, for the season.

Last year, Chinle finished 4-7 in conference and were ousted in the first round of the state tournament by Show Low, 10-0.

"We still have a lot of fundamentals to get through," Yazzie said. "We have a lot of players that didn't play last year, some are in their first year. Our younger girls now are getting lots of experience."

Monument Valley

Herbert Barnes, Lady Mustangs head coach, says hard work will be key this year.

"Expect us to be in the middle of the pack," Barnes said. "I have a lot of hard workers. We have a bunch of strong-minded, strong-willed young ladies that don't like to lose."

About junior pitcher Chenelle Gilmore, he said, "She lives for softball. She goes out there and works really hard every time she's pitching."

Last year, Monument Valley finished 1-6 in conference and didn't qualify for the state playoffs.

Comments from Ganado and Window Rock were not available at press time.

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