Falcons fall shy in 4A battle
by Jason Stone

CAVE CREEK – Cactus Shadows already proved last year that it was the best in the 4A among Division 2 teams, but it can’t say the same about the 4A as a whole this season.

In what could have been billed as the “Battle of 4A” March 19, Chaparral, the top team in 4A‑Division 1, was too much for Cactus Shadows, the best of Division 2. The Firebirds, a future region opponent for Cactus Shadows once regions realign next season, beat the Falcons 7‑3 to hand Cactus Shadows only its second loss of the season.

The Falcons bounced back from the loss by taking out their frustrations on a team in their own division. Cactus Shadows routed Higley 9‑3 March 20 to enter spring break with a 12‑2 record and a 1‑0 mark in the Wells Fargo 2 Region.

Jerome Pena hit his team‑leading fourth home run of the season against Higley, and Zach Pelfrey helped raise his batting average to .563 with a pair of hits, including a double. Pena also remained perfect on the mound, earning his fourth win in as many decisions, while lowering his ERA to 1.22.

Cactus Shadows returned to play this week with a home‑and‑away series with Notre Dame (March 27 and 29). The Falcons will then play Bradshaw Mountain home and away next week.

Boulder Creek in midst of 12‑game tourney run

ANTHEM – A pair of one‑run losses is all that’s keeping Boulder Creek from entering the week on a six‑game winning streak.

The Jaguars, who are in the middle of a 12‑game run in the Eagle Invitational, have won four of the first seven games of the tournament, but two of the losses came in the form of 4‑3 and 1‑0 losses to out‑of‑state teams.

After getting blasted by Pinnacle 15‑0 in the opening game March 17, Boulder Creek bounced back with a big 9‑3 win over Montgomery Bell (Tenn.), then squeaked by Sand Springs (Okla.) 2‑1.

The two one‑run losses were then followed by a 5‑1 victory over Deer Valley and a 13‑8 win over Wilson (Ore.).

Boulder Creek (13‑8 overall, 3‑1 Northwest Region) will continue play in the tournament through March 29. Region games return April 3 when Boulder Creek travels to nearby rival O’Connor.

O’Connor in hot spot with star’s return

NORTH VALLEY – Sandra Day O’Connor continues to host games in the Eagle Invitational this week just in time for the return of star junior Nick Carrillo, who missed the beginning of the season after being hit in the face by a line drive during practice.

The Eagles entered the week on a five‑game winning streak, including a 4‑0 start to the Eagle Invitational. O’Connor doubled up Montgomery Bell (10‑5) in the March 19 tourney opener, then topped Sand Springs 7‑4 and Deer Valley 15‑2 a day later. O’Connor made it four in a row March 21 with a one‑run (8‑7) win over Pinnacle.

With a 12‑3 overall record, O’Connor will try to keep it going this week with games against Centennial (Ore.), Dallas (Ore.), West Linn (Ore.) and Monach (Colo.).