by Jayden Chavez
PHOTO: Jay Langford / Angry Jack Productions
BELEN - On Tuesday April 28th , the Grants Pirates traveled to Belen to take on the Eagles for both teams’ final District game.
The Pirates who were 7-0 in the District going into this game, were able to come out with a win solidifying their District title to finish 8-0 in 4A District 5. This win against their District rivals helped move Grants up in the State rankings where they are currently sitting at No. 8 (as of Thursday April 30th).
The Pirates dominated the whole game racking up a total of 16 runs, while only allowing seven runs on the night. Sophomore Evan Taylor led the team, throwing 97 pitches, giving up eight hits and seven runs, five of which were earned runs. Taylor finished the night with eight strikeouts. Some of the top hitters for the Pirates include senior Estevan Barela, who went three for five at the plate, with two hits and a walk, Barela also had an RBI. Sophomore Dereck Rhoades also had a good night at the plate, going three for five, scoring three runs and bringing in a run. And senior Zeth Villisana finished three for four on the night, while bringing in four runs and also scoring one himself. Villisana has been one of Pirates best hitters in these district games. The Pirates will close out the regular season with their last official game being Friday May 1st, when they will host Los Lunas to take on the top-ten ranked Los Lunas Tigers.
The game is not a must win for Grants but a win could help the Pirates’ 4A seeding argument.
State Tournament seedings will be announced Sunday evening at www.nmact.org.