Page 12
Lady Miners Continued from Page 11 by the pitcher to score another run to cut San Manuel’s lead to 5-4 with one out and a runner on first base. Brewer’s thoughts were, “These two runs don’t matter. We have to get outs.” The next batter hit a short fly to Encinas in right field which she made a shoe-string catch and threw the ball to home in an effort to get the runner. The throw was high and she was safe. Runner was at third one out. The next batter Rodenkick hit a ball back to Waddell that she bobbled and couldn’t make a play on, scoring yet another run. Runner at first, one out. Petlit hit a ball to short that McBride threw to Tamayo at second to get the second out. And the praying begins… the next batter hits a ball to Waddell that she bobbles, recovers and throws the batter out at first. Miners win 5-4! In the circle was Waddell with Medina catching, Waddell faced 33 batters allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits, recorded one strikeout, two walks, two stolen bases, and one passed ball. At the plate, Mireya Tamayo went 2 for 4 with a singles; Felicia Gomez went 1 for 3 with a single; Alyssa Cuellar went 0 for 3 with a walk, and one RBI; Felicia Medina went 1 for 4, with a single, and two RBIs; Mackenzie Vindiola went 1 for 4 with a single, and an RBI;Angelica Zuniga went 1 for 4 with a home run, and one RBI; and Nicole Encinas went 2 for 2 with singles, and a sacrifice. “We had a great season,” Brewer said. “These girls came a long way. At the beginning of the season we were going to the batter’s box looking scared, by the end of the season we are pounding the ball. We improved by leaps and bounds when it came to executing the
San Manuel Miner, San Manuel, Arizona short game and defensively. The unity of these girls is unbelievable. They believed in themselves and their teammates, they trusted the coaches and did what was asked of them. The parents supported us the whole way. I cannot thank the parents enough for their support of the program and my coaching. They let us do our jobs. That made the difference.” Brewer continued, “You know the saying, ‘Winning is contagious’? I believe we caught the bug in the Wickenburg tournament. We had lost almost every game we played to bigger schools. We were in the consolation bracket and we had a team meeting. We decided we should take the consolation bracket. We did it and from then on (with the exception of the two losses to Empire and one to Hayden), we kept it together. During the Hayden tournament, they proved themselves and what they could do. We came back and won the tournament. It was awesome. We told them all the rest of the season to remember that feeling and capture it. It became who we were. I can’t tell you how many times we rallied with two outs. I am just so proud of my girls. They did it! We did it! Winning is fun!” San Manuel had not been to
the Championship game since 1994 when the Lady Miners, under the direction of the late Coach Jeff Rupright, defeated Show Low 7 -1 in the then 3A Division to claim the title. The Lady Miners softball program is rich in history with Coach Shelia Baize winning the Championship titles in
1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and taking RunnersUp titles in 1978, 1983, and 1984; Coach Jeff Rupright picked up the torch and brought home Runners-Up titles in 1986, 1987, 1991 and captured the Championship in 1990 by beating Show Low 7 – 6 in eight innings.
May 15, 2013 Current, 14-year Head Coach Deanne Brewer picked up the torch in 1999 and has been to several quarter-final and semi- finals. This was Brewer’s first trip to the finals and she did not falter - the torch that has been passed down to Brewer may have dimmed and flickered at times
throughout the years but the flame never went out and now with the young team that is set to return next year…the flame seems shine as bright as ever. Missed the action? Want to relive San Manuel’s win over Northwest Christian? Go online to http://bit.ly/17Zk4pl to view the game on video.
Lady Miners getting set for the trophy presentation. (Frank Smith photo)
We did it! Reality sinks in for the Lady Miners. (Frank Smith photo)
Head Coach Deanne Brewer and her ‘rally cap’ celebrate with a high five. (Frank Smith photo)