'The Boys of Summer': Window Rock, Chinle, Many Farms begin diamond season.

WINDOW ROCK SCOUTS

Window Rock Scouts have played five games during its young season. The Scouts are 3-2 on the year. The Scouts defeated Many Farms Lobos, 20-5, in its season opener.

During the Patriot Classic, hosted by Amerlcan Leadership Academy-Ironwood, Window Rock blanked Joseph City, 10-0. The Scouts beat North Pointe Prep, 5-3. Host American Leadership Academy-Ironwood knocked off the Scouts, 9-1. Scottsdale Coronado posted a 7-4 win over Window Rock.

Window Rock travels to Whiteriver to face the Alchesay Falcons in a single game today at 3 p.m. The same two schools meet on March 10 in Fort Defiance at 2 p.m.

The Scouts return 13 players from last year's 12-15 team. Window Rock finished 8-4 in 3A North Region last year. Sophomore pitcher/first baseman LaShawn Platero and junior shortstop/pitcher Rainer Morgan were both selected to second team all-region.

The Scouts did no earn a state tournament berth. The Scouts were eliminated in the semifinals of the 3A North Regional Tournament.

Window Rock firsr-year head coach Kody Wauneka said leadership, experience and pitching are the keys to success this year.

"We are a young team, but we get along with each other great and continue to push each other every day in practice," Wauneka said. "The upper classmen know what we are capable of as a team and they stress that every single day at practice. Early on, we have had individuals step up and pitch some tough games for us."

Wauneka said the Scouts have to work on team chemistry and batting.

"We have two-a-day practices, so the boys get to be around each other a lot," Wauneka said. "We still have a lot to improve, but are definitely headed in the right direction overall. We need to be more disciplined at the plate, learning to feel comfortable when we are down in the count and realize that great things happen when we put the ball in play."

Wauneka said the team's expectations this year is to be competitive in all of the games, compete for the 3A North Regional title and the state playoffs.

CHINLE WILDCATS

Chinle Wildcats opened its diamond season with a 10-2 lost to the Show Low Cougars on Tuesday afternoon.

Chinle completed its season 19-9 overall and the Wildcats were 11-1 in 3A North Region last year. Paradise Honors eliminated Chinle, 5-3, during the first round of the state tournament. The Wildcats had five hits and Paradise Honors could must three safeties. Errors hampered Chinle, as the Wildcats committed two costly errors.

Chinle returns 11 players from last year's squad. Returning players include the following.

Senior Leandre Anagal returns as a catcher; Junior third baseman Daunte Gorman returns; Sophomore second baseman Jake Guy; Junior centerfielder/pitcher Jayden Guy; Senior infield/pitcher Bryneil Hoskie; Senior shortstop/pitcher Myren Hoskie; Junior catcher/infield Jermaine Jones; Senior utility Omillio Roy; Senior first baseman Jaron Segay; Sophomore outfield/utility Joshua Tullie; and senior shortstop/pitcher Anthony Yazzie.

Jayden Guy earned first team all-region and first team pitcher. Jake Guy was selected to first team all-region infield. Myren Hoskie was named first all-region pitcher. Jermaine Jones was selected firs team all-region catcher. Bryneil Hoskie was named second team all-region pitcher. Anthony Yazzie was named second team all-region infield/pitcher. Joshua Tullie was selected second team all-region outfield.

Chinle head coah Don Kimbrough, who enters his sixth year, said the Wildcats are very well balanced this year.

Kimbrough said fundamentals are a constant.

"We expect to be extremely tough and plan on being at the very top of 3A," he said.

MANY FARMS LOBOS

Many Farms Lobos head coach Shawn Deschenie begins his fifth year as head coach.

Many Farms dropped to 0-2 on the season, after the Lobos lost to Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs, 24-12 on Tuesday afternoon. The lost to the Window Rock Scouts, 20-5, to begin its season last week.

Many Farms travels to Sanders to face Valley Pirates on Friday in a 3 p.m. contest. The Lobos host the Hopi Bruins on March 10 at 3:30 p.m.

Many Farms returns seven players, including two who earned post season all-region laurels last year. Returning for the Lobos are senior infielder/pitcher Richard Campbell; senior catcher/pitcher/infielder Pacer Morgan; senior outfielder Denotae Tsosie; junior utility/pitcher Dushaun Tsosie; junior infielder/pitcher Pharrell Curtis; junior outfielder Cavan Keesie; and sophomore infielder/pitcher Malakai Tsosie.

Lobo players Campbell and Morgan earned second team 2A North all-region last year and look to led the team this year.

Many Farms completed its season 11-14-1 last yer. The Lobos were 7-6 in 2A North Region last year. Many Farms did not advance to the state tournament.

Deschenie believes the Lobos' strength this year is experience and hitting.

"We have a mixture of young talent and returners," Deschenie said. "We need to work together to iron out the areas we need improvement. Our team expectations is to compete in all games."