Thatcher knocks off Safford, visit Longhorns in Payson on Monday

Safford travels to Tucson for the season finale

By Raymundo Frasquillo

THATCHER – The Jace Howard-coached Thatcher Eagles evened the series with the Robert Abalos-coached Safford Bulldogs at 20-20-1 since 2006 and 2-2 in 3A South Region pairings during the most recent three seasons (2023-25). The Eagles’ wins are 8-2 (April 25, 2025) and 4-2 (March 24, 2023) in Thatcher, while the Bulldogs’ wins are 14-9 (April 18, 2024) and 2-1 (Feb. 24, 2023) in Safford. Thatcher has a combined 22-20 total runs scored against Safford.

The No. 26 Bulldogs (5-7 seeding, 0.2890 rating) conclude the regular season in Tucson against No. 37 Palo Verde Magnet (7-10, minus 6.3602) and the No. 27 Eagles (5-7, minus 0.0460) at No. 25 Payson (7-10, 1.0720) on Monday, April 28. The games are in the region for Safford and non-region for Thatcher.

The other 3A South Region members, Tanque Verde (5-1), Pusch Ridge Christian (5-1), Empire (4-2), and Sabino (2-4), have completed their region schedules.

Empire won a non-region game over Desert Christian (20-4 in 6 inn, April 25) in the Ravens’ regular-season finale.

The play-in round for teams ranked 9-24 is on Wednesday, April 30.

Thatcher – 8, Safford – 2

The Eagles took advantage of nine unforced Safford errors to score seven unearned runs on six errors and a walk, resulting in an 8-2 region win on April 25.

Safford scored the game’s initial run with lead-off senior hitter Carlos Arbizo singling on. Sophomore Andrew Trujillo singled but was thrown out attempting to steal second. Senior Cole Goodman drew a walk. Junior Osvaldo Estrada singled Arbizo in with one out. The ensuing batter flied out, and Estrada was thrown out attempting to steal second.

Thatcher crossed home plate five times with one out. The lead-off hitter grounded out, sophomore Brant Duncan reached first on a fielding error and advanced to both second and third on an errant pick-off attempt, and scored on a fielding error, allowing senior Jett Howard to reach first. Senior Paxton Echols doubled in Howard, a throwing error allowed sophomore Jagen Hall on as Echols scored, and a throwing error allowed freshman Traekon Kempton on. A fly out, a fielding error allowed sophomore Hudson Lopeman on, and Kempton to score, and a fly out recorded the third out.

The Bulldogs sent no more than five up during the ensuing three innings, stranding two in the second and one in the third, before Arbizo scored the second run in the fifth inning. He reached first on a one-out throwing error, Trujillo reached first on a fielding error, and Goodman singled in Arbizo. A double play, with a fly out and a force out on the base runner, ended the threat.

Thatcher added two runs in the fourth, both runners reached first on errors, and both scored on errors. Senior Dee Allen got on with a two-out fielding error, and senior Kody Bingham on a throwing error, while Allen scored. Duncan struck out, reached first before the throw, and was forced out on a fielder’s choice for out number three.

The Bulldogs got a sixth-inning Darren Maldonado lead-off double, followed by three successive outs.

Thatcher crossed home plate five times with one out. The lead-off hitter grounded out, and sophomore Brant Duncan reached first on a fielding error.

For Safford, a seventh inning called third strike, an Arbizo walk, a fly out, a Goodman single, and a strikeout ended the contest.

On the afternoon, Safford batted .214 (6-28), stranded eight base runners, and committed nine errors compared to .074 (2-27), two left on, and four errors for Thatcher.

Paxton Echols batted .333 (1-3, RBI, double) and Bingham batted .250 (1-4, RBI).

On the mound, Hall yielded one earned run, two scored, five hits, two walks, struck out two, and grazed one while facing 28 batters during 6 1/3 innings. Closer Kempton allowed a hit and struck out one while facing three batters during 2/3 innings.

For Safford, Goodman batted .667 (2-3, RBI), Arbizo and Maldonado (double) both .333 (1-3), and Estrada (RBI) and Trujillo .250 (1-4) apiece.

3A South Region Standings

South Region standings through April 25 have Tanque Verde (17-5-1 overall, 15-3 seeding, 5-1 region) and Pusch Ridge Christian (13-11, 10-5, 5-1) tied for first, Empire (13-13, 10-8, 4-2) third, Thatcher (9-12, 6-7, 4-2) fourth, Sabino (2-16, 2-15, 2-4) fifth, Safford (10-10, 5-8, 0-5) sixth, and Palo Verde Magnet (7-10, 7-10, 0-5) seventh.

Region game results to date include Tanque Verde over Pusch Ridge (3-1, April 3), Thatcher (12-7, April 10), Safford (8-3, April 17), Sabino (7-2, April 19), and Palo Verde Magnet (19-4 in 4 inn, April 23); Pusch Ridge over Thatcher (11-3, March 25), Palo Verde Magnet (5-1, April 8), Empire (3-0, April 16), Sabino (14-3 in 6 inn, April 21) and Safford (12-6, April 23); Empire over Safford (12-9, April 4), Sabino (10-0 in 5 inn, April 1), Palo Verde Magnet (13-0 in 5 inn, April 4), and Tanque Verde (6-5, April 21); Thatcher over Palo Verde Magnet (20-1 in 5 inn, March 27), Sabino (5-3, April 17), Empire (7-2, April 23), and Safford (8-2, April 25); Sabino over Safford (10-0 in 5 inn, April 1) and Palo Verde Magnet (8-4, April 4).

2A State Rankings

The state rankings for South Region members as of noon on April 25 had Tanque Verde (15-3 seeding, 7.4633 rating) No. 14, Pusch Ridge Christian (10-5, 4.2801) No. 17, Empire (9-8, 2.4267) No. 21, Safford (5-7, 0.2890) No. 26, Thatcher (5-7, minus 0.0460) No. 27, Sabino (2-12, minus 5.9117) No. 35, and Palo Verde Magnet (7-10, minus 6.3602) No. 37.

No. 25 Payson Longhorns (12-13 overall)

The Brian Young-coached 3A South Region Payson Longhorns (12-13 overall, 8-10 seeding, 5-7 region) are averaging an 8-6 (193-157) score per game or a 2-run margin through 25 games.

Payson has seeding game wins over Surprise Highland Prep (29-0 in 3 inn, Feb. 26), Globe (13-3 in 6 inn, March 12), Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (14-11, March 17), San Tan Foothills (15-0 in 4 inn, March 19), Camp Verde (17-11, March 20), ALA – Ironwood (9-5, April 7), Bourgade Catholic (12-7, April 21), San Tan Foothills (12-1 in 4 inn, April 25) along with losses to Chino Valley (5-6 in 10 inn, March 11), Benjamin Franklin (4-5, March 25), Northwest Christian (0-7, March 27), Gilbert Christian (2-7, March 31), Apache Junction (2-7, April 1), Show Low (3-17 in 6 inn, April 3), Bourgade Catholic (3-4, April 14), Benjamin Franklin (5-16 in 6 inn, April 15), and Northwest Christian (4-14, April 18).

Additionally, the Longhorns went 3-1 during the 4-day Phoenix Christian tourney and 1-2 during the 3-day Benjamin Franklin tourney, with wins over Tonopah Valley (14-2 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), Lakeside Blue Ridge (3-1, Feb. 28), Phoenix Goldwater (6-3, March 1), and Saint Johns (6-1 in 6 inn, April 11) along with losses to Yuma Catholic (8-12 in 5 inn, Feb. 27), Chinle (2-11 in 6 inn, April 10), and Safford (5-6 in 4 inn, April 12).

The Longhorns have a 15-member team, with a roster of a senior, seven juniors, five sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes senior Zach Young (27); juniors Isaiah Dudley (1), Evan Finkler (3), Hunter Hoff (20), Sam Hogue (9) Nolan Keeney (10), Landon Parton (23), and Michel Stevens (5); sophomores Evan Fuller (18), Landon Hansen (44), Carter Kelton (7), Nathan Tsosie (12), and Hunter Weinland (4); and freshmen Isaak Dudley (16) and Kane Ryden (17).

Payson competes in the seven-member 3A Metro Region with Gilbert Christian, Phoenix Bourgade Catholic, Phoenix Northwest Christian, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood, and San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills.

No. 27 Thatcher Eagles (8-12 overall)

The Jace Howard-coached 3A South Region Thatcher Eagles (9-12 overall, 6-7 seeding, 4-2 region) are averaging a 6-8 (126-160) score per game or a 2-run deficit through 21 games.

Thatcher has seeding game wins over Show Low (4-3, March 4), Palo Verde Magnet (20-1 in 5 inn, March 31), Tucson Amphitheater (21-2 in 4 inn, April 3), Sabino (5-3, April 17), Empire (7-2, April 23), and Safford along with losses to Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (9-10, March 6), Pusch Ridge (3-11, March 25), Rio Rico (3-6, April 1), Chandler Valley Christian (0-10 in 6 inn, April 8), Tanque Verde (7-12, April 10), Douglas (6-8, April 11), and Benson (2-10, April 14).

Additionally, the Eagles went 2-2 during the 4-day Florence tourney and 1-3 during the 4-day Salpointe Catholic tourney, with wins were over Kearny Ray (7-1, Feb. 27), San Manuel (1-0 in 5 inn, Feb. 27), and Phoenix Saint Mary’s Catholic (7-5, March 12) along with losses to Florence (1-4 in 5 inn, Feb. 28), Bagdad (2-11 in 4 inn, March 1), Yuma Catholic (1-38 in 5 inn, March 11), Benson (6-8, March 14), and Tucson Mica Mountain (6-13, March 14).

The Eagles have an 18-member team, with a roster of five seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and five freshmen. The roster includes seniors Dee Allen (5), Kody Bingham (1), Paxton Echols (11), Jett Howard (3), and Branson Hughes (16); juniors Erik Ebert (14), Travis Larson (9), Noah Rasmussen (20), and Ty Shupe (4); sophomores Brant Duncan (2), Jagen Hall (10), Hudson Lopeman (6), and Brig Romney (18); and freshmen Boston Echols (7), Gunner Jacob (13), Traekon Kempton (15), Kase Palmer (12), and Jax Shupe (17).

Thatcher competes in the seven-member 3A South Region with Safford, and the Tucson teams Empire, Palo Verde Magnet, Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, and Tanque Verde.

No. 37 Palo Verde Magnet Titans (7-10 overall)

The Jim Mentz-coached 3A South Region Palo Verde Magnet Titans (7-10 overall, 7-10 seeding, 0-5 region) average a 7-7 (127-118) score per game or a tie through 17 games.

Palo Verde Magnet has seeding game wins over Tucson Amphitheater (24-5 in 5 inn, Feb. 27), Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-3, March), Desert Christian (6-5, March 13), San Carlos (28-2, April 17), San Miguel (11-1 in 5 inn, March 18), Wellton Antelope (9-7, April 9), and Santa Rita (5-0 in 5 inn, April 24) along with losses to Tucson Rincon/University (3-8, March 7), Apache Junction (1-16 in 4 inn, March 11), Duncan (4-6, March 25), Saint Augustine Catholic (2-7, March 28), Thatcher (1-20 in 5 inn, March 31), Sabino (4-8, April 4), Pusch Ridge (1-5, April 8), Empire (0-13 in 5 inn, April 15), Globe (2-12 in 5 inn, April 16), and Tanque Verde (4-19 in 4 inn, April 23).

The Titans have a 15-member team, with a roster of six seniors, five juniors, a sophomore, and three freshmen. The roster includes seniors David Burgoyne (5) Nick Clark (16), Victor Gonzalez-Lopez (14), Juan Jimenez (24), Luis Molina (21), and George Salgado (11); juniors Stephen Brown (9), Christian Felix (4), Frank Marquez (10), Noah Pedrego (3), and Diego Veliz (18); sophomore Santiago Renteria (15); and freshmen Gus Brungardt (6), Omar Gonzalez (13), and Jax Shupe (17).

Palo Verde Magnet competes in the seven-member 3A South Region with Safford, Thatcher, and Tucson teams Empire, Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, and Tanque Verde.

No. 26 Safford Bulldogs (10-10 overall)

The Robert Abalos-coached 3A South Region Safford Bulldogs (10-10 overall, 5-8 seeding, 0-5 region) are averaging a 6-6 (113-123) score per game or a tie through 20 games.

Safford has seeding game wins over Globe (10-7, March 4), Tucson Rincon/University (9-5, March 25), Sahuarita Walden Grove (12-2 in 5 inn, April 3), Coolidge (7-1, April 7), and Rio Rico (1-0, April 14) along with losses to Gilbert Christian (0-11, March 6), Show Low (7-10, March 21), Douglas (1-18 in 5 inn, March 24), Sabino (0-10 in 5 inn, April 1), Empire (9-12, April 4), Tanque Verde (3-8, April 17), Pusch Ridge (6-12, April 23), and Thatcher (2-8, April 25).

The Bulldogs went 3-1 during the 3-day Florence tourney and 2-1 during the 3-day Benjamin Franklin tourney, with wins over Morenci (9-0 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), Superior (11-1 in 4 inn, Feb. 27), San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (15-0 in 4 inn, March 6), Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (4-3 in 5 inn, March 6), and Payson (6-5 in 4 inn, April 12) along with losses to Show Low (1-6 in 5 inn, March 1) and Globe (2-4, April 10).

Safford has a 17-member team, with a roster of five seniors, six juniors, four sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes seniors Carlos Arbizo (21), Dylan Broderick (20), Cole Goodman (24), Zayden Sanchez (31), and Cole Yentsch (8); juniors Damian Abril (6), Aiden Gutierrez (12), Darren Maldonado (22), Damian Nunez (9), Kayden Reno (28), and Dylan Stahl (5); sophomore Noah Cuences (18) Osvaldo Estrada (34), Broady Phillips (16), and Andrew Trujillo (32); and freshmen Easton Ballejos (23) and Deagan Faunce (7).

The Bulldogs compete in the seven-member 3A South Region with Thatcher, and the Tucson teams Empire, Palo Verde Magnet, Pusch Ridge Christian, Sabino, and Tanque Verde.