Cowboy Classic: Chaparral goes 4-0 to win Cowboy Classic baseball tournament

Chaparral senior baseball player James Cobian isn’t sure how he’ll spend the rest of spring break.

It’s off to a good start, though, after he helped his team win the Cowboy Classic.

The Cowboys picked up wins over Western and Valley on Saturday, then beat Clark on Monday to clinch a home showdown Tuesday with Tech, which they outlasted 4-2 in the tournament title game.

Cobian started on the mound and struck out seven in three innings against the Roadrunners before shifting to shortstop. He went 1-for-4 with a double and finished the four-game tournament 6-for-16 with three RBIs.

Chaparral coach David Soto reminded his players after the game that he has his sights set on a state championship — not a midseason tournament title — but was pleased with how his team reeled off the four wins.

“It’s not that we’re doing anything spectacular,” Soto said. “It’s just that when we need to put the ball in play, it gets put in play. When we need a walk or a hit by pitch, everything is just clicking.”

Cobian pounded the strike zone and flustered Tech (9-3) for the better part of his outing, but surrendered a sacrifice fly and subsequent unearned run in the second inning.

The Cowboys (13-1) also struggled to hit in the first three innings, but manufactured three runs in the fourth inning via walks and errors.

Robert O’Connor had an RBI triple, and Christian Calzada added an RBI single.

Rodney Elosegui walked with the bases loaded in the sixth inning for Chaparral to provide the crucial insurance run, and Cowboys reliever Cannon Greene allowed one run in four innings to secure the championship.

“The rest of the spring break is probably going to be with the boys,” Cobian said with a smile.

Just like the beginning of spring break.

Canyon Springs 11, Eldorado 1 — At Tech, Trevor Berkemeyer threw a five-inning complete game and allowed one unearned run and struck out seven to lift the Pioneers over the Sundevils.

Berkemeyer had a double, two RBIs and two runs, and teammate Gavin Rhynes was 3-for-3 a double and three RBIs.

Luis Osorio-Avila doubled and scored three runs for the Pioneers, and Martin Blake scored twice.

Clark 8, Desert Pines 4 — At Tech, Kelsey Brooke and Sean Lee were each 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs to help the Chargers top the Jaguars.

Elijah Fuchs had two RBIs for the Chargers, who led 6-1 after the top of the third.

Raymond Minero, James Greco and Cesar Bailon each had a double for the Jaguars.

Del Sol 11, Valley 1 — At Del Sol, Jose Galicia threw a five-hitter with 11 strikeouts to power the Dragons by the Vikings.

Galicia also scored three runs, and teammate David Prosky had three RBIs. Chandler Miller doubled and scored for the Dragons.

Gatlin Hardiman was 2-for-3 with a double for the Vikings.

Virgin Valley 7, Mojave 6 — At Chaparral, Cade Anderson and Dakota Munford both drove in a run and pitched the Bulldogs to a one-run victory over the Rattlers.

Logan Felix and Dillon Fuqua each added an RBI for Virgin Valley.

Rudy Fernandez went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs for Mojave.

Lincoln County 7, Western 1 — At Del Sol, Kobe Walker struck out eight over six innings with one unearned run allowed to lead the Lynx over the Warriors.

Dean Ottley hit a triple for the Lynx, and Walker doubled.