PRESCOTT VALLEY — Josh Khazaal was 3 for 4 with three RBIs and was one of four players to cross the plate three times as Bradshaw Mountain used an 11-run third inning to put away region rival Lee Williams 20-3 in the second game of a doubleheader sweep Saturday afternoon.

The Bears (11-3, 2-0 4A Grand Canyon) have won seven of their last eight games, including an 11-2 victory over the Volunteers in game one.

Longtime Bradshaw Mountain skipper Brian Bundrick believes this year, his club can make a “serious run” at state.

“We are 10 seniors deep with high expectations. We have high tempo, matter-of-fact practices with very little slack time,” Bundrick said.

Bradshaw Mountain's Josh Khazaal swings at a pitch during a doubleheader against Lee Williams on Saturday, March 26, 2023, in Prescott Valley. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365)

Lee Williams skipper Zachary Smith said that the Bears are the team to beat in the Grand Canyon region this season.

“They’re a great team with loads of talent and experience,” Smith said. “They are very disciplined and tough 1-9 in the lineup.”

The club from Prescott Valley lost only one Grand Canyon region contest (16-13 to Coconino on April 2, 2022) a season ago on their way to a title, but lost as a No. 8 seed to No. 9-seeded Saguaro 8-2 in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.

The Grand Canyon region had five teams qualify for the state playoffs last spring, but went 0-5.

On Saturday, other standouts for Bradshaw Mountain included Elias Avila, who was 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored against Lee Williams (5-5, 0-2 4A Grand Canyon) while Anden Scheffert was 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Nate Ramirez toed the mound for the Bears, allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and four strikeouts in three innings pitched to earn a win.

“This team is focused and ready to do what it takes to win. This is the most unselfish team I’ve ever coached,” Bundrick said.

Lee Williams catcher Troy Edwards (8) puts his hands on his head in disbelief after being called out at home plate in a doubleheader against Bradshaw Mountain on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Prescott Valley. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365)

GAME 1: BEARS 11, VOLUNTEERS 2

Garison Jones’ three-RBI triple in the third inning sparked a five-run rally and the Bears never looked back in an 11-2 win over Lee Williams on a cloudy Saturday afternoon.

Khazaal was 3 for 3 with a run scored, Vinny Magdaleno scored three times and Bradshaw Mountain opened region play with a win.

Khazaal pitched four strong innings, allowing one run on three hits before giving a way to Caden Randall, who managed to allow only one run on two hits in three innings.

For Lee Williams, Noah Petrauschke was 2 for 3 with a run scored, while Riley Feil hit a monster home run over the left field wall to put the Volunteers on the scoreboard in the fourth inning.

Brandon Klenke and Nick Kennedy each had a hit, with Kennedy adding an RBI.

Smith said with a young an experienced club at the varsity level, this season is all about “reps” and “growing as a program.”

“We want to compete. Being young we have to learn how to compete against the best of the best,” Smith said. “Our region is one of the hardest in 4A and us seeing that competition every week, we have to compete and learn how to be varsity baseball players.”

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.

Lee Williams third baseman Cannon Cobanovich jump throws in attempt to throw a Bradshaw Mountain runner out at first but he is called safe in a doubleheader Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Prescott Valley. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365).

 

 

Cannon Cobanovich