Last week in sports

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Eyeing the ball, Madison Stephens, 11, prepares to bunt the ball in order to advance a runner. Photo by Saveria Farino.

Varsity Softball

By Rayne Hayes

Women’s varsity softball secured two wins against Green Valley and Liberty making their league score 18-2.

While away, the Cougs beat the Green Valley Gators 4-1 on Monday, April 30. During the first two innings neither team gained any home runs, but in the third inning the Cougs turned up the heat, achieving two runs. In the sixth inning the Gators tried to tie it up running one in, yet, the Cougars matched them running another in, making the score 4-1 in the seventh inning as they gained another run.

At their first home match of May the women defeated the Liberty Patriots 9-6. The Cougs came out strong, gaining two runs in the first inning but they faced a three point deficit in the second inning, making the score 3-1. In an effort to tie up the game the girls stepped it up, achieving two more runs in the third inning and tying the score. In the fourth inning the Cougars gave the Patriots a run for their money, scoring four runs compared to their one. Going into the sixth inning, the score was 7-4. They ran in two more in the sixth and the Patriots ran in another two in the seventh inning, ending a suspenseful game 9-6.

“I feel very prepared because we have worked so hard all season to get to this point,” Tatum Spangler, senior, said. “I trust everyone and I know we can do it.”

In his final game of high school volleyball, Ben Bloss soars after a precise back-set from senior setter Matthew Wilson. Photo by Josh Christensen.

Men’s Volleyball

By Joshua Christensen

In senior night action, men’s varsity volleyball fought against Green Valley but lost 3-0 on Monday, April 30. They lost the first set 25-22 and the second 25-21 but made a final push in the third set for an extremely tight 27-25. They went on to play their final game of the season against Silverado on Thursday, May 3, defeating the Skyhawks 3-1. For their final match, the Cougars implemented a brand new 6-2 formation designed to get as many players, especially seniors, playing time.

“Senior night was tons of fun, and it meant a lot getting announced and getting to walk down the court with my parents and seeing all of my friends supporting me,” senior Matt Wilson, said.

Coronado is losing four seniors this year: Mason Phifer, Patrick Ng, Ben Bloss, and Matt Wilson. Phifer and Bloss played outside for Coronado providing reliable passes and easy kills. Ng’s place was upfront at the net playing middle where his massive blocks pushed the momentum in Coronado’s favor. Wilson is the starting setter, completing almost 30,000 assists in his three years on varsity.

On the mound Ryan Murphy, 12, throws a fastball to strike out the Patriots. Photo by Saveria Farino.

Varsity Baseball

By Saveria Farino

In the last week of league season, the men’s varsity baseball team lost a close game to the Green Valley Gators 4-3 on Monday, April 30. Green Valley took the lead throughout the game with one run in the third inning. Cristian Herrera, senior, Max Fernandez, junior, and Ethan Stephens, sophomore, each scored a run in the seventh inning; however, the Gators prevailed also earning three runs in the bottom of the final inning.

“When a game gets stressful I really just focus on my breathing and relaxing the mind,” Jake McLean, senior, said. “I try not to think too much about anything else except for what I can do personally to help the team out.”

The Cougs celebrated senior night at their final home game on Wednesday, May 2 against Liberty. Both teams started strong, each with two runs in the first inning, and two again in the sixth. The Patriots fought hard and earned three runs at the top of the seventh, winning the game 7-4. Although the boys lost, they enjoyed spending senior night eating and being with their loved ones.

“On senior night I enjoyed be out there with my brothers I’ve been playing with since I was eight, and it was a pretty special moment to share with them,” senior Kyle Hall said.

The Patriots will face the Cougars again in the first game of the Class 4A Sunrise Region Playoffs on Tuesday, May 4 at Liberty. The next playoff game will be determined by how the team plays during this game.  

Swim and dive

By Ryan Kelleher

The varsity men’s and women’s swim teams start regionals at UNLV on Friday, May 11 at 5:15 p.m. To build team hype and excitement, all team members dyed their hair in versions of red, white and blue.

“We are all really excited and looking forward to regionals,” Spencer Wilkinson, sophomore, said. “Last year we came up short at state, but I know we can win this year.”

Men’s varsity were regional champions last year and state runner-ups. Women’s varsity also earned the title of regional champions last year but lost early in state. The women’s team currently stands with two state championship titles from 2006 and 2007 while the men’s team is looking to pick up their first.