Friday, March 29, 2024

Page flexes its muscle heading into state playoffs

Page flexes its muscle heading into state playoffs
Page Sand Devil Dana Smith slides into third as Chinle Wildcat Troy Yazzie tags him for an out on Friday in Chinle. (Times photo - Donovan Quintero)

Page Sand Devil Dana Smith slides into third as Chinle Wildcat Troy Yazzie tags him for an out on Friday in Chinle. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)

CHINLE

And just like that, the Page baseball team assumed total control of the Division III, Section I race.

The Sand Devils posted a huge 18-1 win over Chinle last Friday afternoon to guarantee their spot at this weekend’s Arizona Division III state baseball tournament.

The top team in each section earned automatic bids for the state tournament and as of press time the Arizona Interscholastic Association had not released the bracket.

Going into last Friday’s matchup both teams came into showdown with impressive marks.

“This was huge for us and our destiny is now in our control,” Page coach Ernie Rivers said. “We don’t have to rely on anybody beating anybody. From here forward as long as we win our next three sectional games we’ll make the playoffs.”

That is exactly what the Sand Devils did as they defeated Window Rock 12-2 on April 25 before taking care of Pinon 24-1 on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Sand Devils traveled to Hopi for its last regular season game and posted a 14-2 win to improve its record to 13-5 overall and 9-0 in league play.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, closed out the regular season with Greyhills on Wednesday.

Despite losing its only sectional game of the season, the Wildcats are in good position to make the state playoffs with a No. 21 ranking in the latest power ranking.

“We’re planning on going,” said Wildcat coach Don Kimbrough, while adding that it’s been about six years since Chinle’s made the playoffs.


 To read the full article, pick up your copy of the Navajo Times at your nearest newsstand Thursday mornings!

Are you a digital subscriber? Read the most recent three weeks of stories by logging in to your online account.

  Find newsstand locations at this link.

Or, subscribe via mail or online here.




About The Author

Quentin Jodie

Quentin Jodie is the Sports Editor for the Navajo Times. He started working for the Navajo Times in February 2010 and was promoted to the Sports Editor position at the end of summer in 2012. Previously, he wrote for the Gallup Independent. Reach him at qjodie@navajotimes.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Weather & Road Conditions

Window Rock Weather

Fair

36.0 F (2.2 C)
Dewpoint: 27.0 F (-2.8 C)
Humidity: 70%
Wind: South at 4.6 MPH (4 KT)
Pressure: 29.96

More weather »

ADVERTISEMENT