New-look Mojave rolls to baseball tourney title

Mojave's baseball program entered the season winless since 2009.

After winning three games in two days, the Rattlers could get used to the feeling.

Mojave scored six runs in the third inning and four in the fourth on its way to a 12-7 victory over Canyon Springs in the title game of the Cheyenne Invitational on Saturday.

"It's a new season, new look, new everything," Mojave pitcher/shortstop Francisco Colin said. "It feels good. This wasn't us last year. We're excited."

Colin, who went 2-for-5, ignited the Rattlers' six-run third inning with a two-run single down the left-field line.

The senior right-hander also fanned seven batters in 2 2/3 innings of relief, striking out the side in the seventh.

This came after Colin tossed a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts Friday to lift the Rattlers (3-0) to a 5-3 win over Sunrise Mountain for their first win since 2009.

"He is our ace, our captain, our best player and our leader," first-year Mojave coach Tyree Payne said. "The kids fall behind him. How he acts is how they act."

Canyon Springs (1-1) rallied to tie the game 6-6 with a five-run fourth inning highlighted by Rusty Marquetti's two-run double to right field.

But Mojave scored four runs, all with two outs, in the bottom half of the inning to go up 10-6 and led the rest of the way.

Eric Mora was 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs for Mojave, and Carlos Romo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.

James Jones added a two-run triple in the fourth for the Rattlers, who are confident they can rebound from an 0-16-1 season last year.

Mojave's toughest games lie ahead in the Northwest League, but the Rattlers think they will be more competitive than in recent years.

"We've been practicing hard thanks to Coach Payne and Coach Dan (LaSalle), and all the work we've put in has been getting us results," Colin said.

Hector Burgara was 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Pioneers.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.