4/2/09
The Pojoaque Elks rallied in the nick of time to defeat the Taos Tigers 6-5 in the second game of a double-header March 26 at Pojoaque.
Matthew Longacre’s single to left brought Ryan Sullivan home with the winning run, capping a three-run streak by the Elks in the bottom of the sixth. After Longacre’s single, the steady rain that had fallen throughout most of the game turned to snow under the lights at Pojoaque.
The umpires had ruled before the sixth inning began that it would be the last inning of play due to the inclement weather.
Pojoaque improved to 6-4 with the victory. The Elks had lost the opening game of the double-header 8-7 after taking a 5-4 lead in the second inning.
“Right now we’re kind of a little bit up and down,” Pojoaque coach Anthony Garcia said. “Mentally we’re still working on getting ready. Physically, we’re as good as anyone.”
Garcia is in his first season as head coach, replacing Jacinto Garduño who had been at Pojoaque for two seasons. The Elks compete in the perennially strong District 2AAA, and they last won a Class AAA state championship in 2005.
The Elks were 11-14 last season and finished third in district competition. They were seeded 10th in the state tournament and were defeated by Lovington in the opening round.
Anthony Garcia is counting on six seniors returning from last season to lead the Elks. They are Daniel War, who pitches and plays infield, shortstop Longacre, left-fielder Sullivan, third baseman Aaron Mondragon, first baseman Jonathan Jiron and second baseman Josh Fresquez.
Junior and starting pitcher Mike Garcia, the coach’s son, patrols centerfield when he’s not on the mound. Sophomore Josh Ortiz does the catching and junior Chris Ortiz, Josh Ortiz’s older brother, fills out the outfield in right.
The team’s strength right now is hitting, according to Anthony Garcia. The Elks have put up some big numbers in several of their games so far this season. They defeated Capital 14-0 and 18-16 in a double-header March 17, and later that week they dominated Lordsburg 13-3.
“Our pitching is coming around,” Anthony Garcia said. “I plan on a five-man rotation.”
War, who was used primarily in relief last season, will start some games. Mike Garcia is the team’s left-handed hurler. Longacre, Chris Ortiz and Fresquez will also form part of the pitching rotation.
Last season, five of the six teams in District 2AAA advanced to the opening round of the Class AAA state tournament. Garcia expects the competition to be just as intense this season. Pojoaque opened play in District 2AAA Tuesday at Raton, the 2007 Class AAA state champion.
“We’re going to have to come out and play,” Garcia said. “All the teams in our district look strong again.”