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Bulldogs Baseball
| Monday, 14 May 2012 02:44 |
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| Queen Creek, Combs High baseball makes playoffs |
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By Chase Kamp Today Publications
The Queen Creek High Bulldogs and Combs High Coyotes baseball teams each earned a playoff spot after the season concluded on Apr. 25, 2012. Both teams were eliminated in the first round, Queen Creek by Apollo and Combs by Willcox, but the coaches were enthusiastic about their team’s accomplishments and the promise of next season.
Queen Creek High baseball coach Mike Campbell said this is the third year in a row the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and that the team lost eight seniors going into this season. “We knew it was going to be a season that was trying as far as youth is concerned,” he said.
Still, Campbell said the Bulldogs got some great performances from the younger players. Junior outfielder Derek Arrington hit .415 and stole a school record of 29 bases. Sophomore pitcher Marcus Still hit .430, stole 17 bases and had a 3.90 ERA.
Junior pitcher Jaren Holmes hit .375, stole 10 bases and maintained a 3-1 record. “He’s got that Bulldog mentality that we preach to our guys,” Campbell said.
While Campbell anticipates next year’s squad will have some great depth, he also lauded phenomenal efforts from this year’s seniors. He said senior pitcher Chad Leonard was a key leader, hitting over .450 with 33 runs batted in.
Leonard is set to play both football and baseball on scholarship at Mesa Community College.
More than anything, Campbell said, he was proud of his Coyote players for surpassing 800 community service hours this year by volunteering at soup kitchens, veterans hospitals and Little League clinics.
For more on this story check out the next issue of the San Tan Valley Today |
Senior catcher, Chad Leonard, continued to garnish accolades on Saturday when he was selected to represent Queen Creek High School as a catcher for the South Team in the Senior All-Star Game on June 3rd. Chad will be playing @ 4:00 p.m. at Surprise Stadium. We wish Chad the best of luck as he continues the legacy of a long line of players that have represented in the Senior All-Star Game. Congrats Chad!!!
Congratulations to Senior Chad Leonard, for being selected as the Division II Section I All-Sectional Catcher. This is quite the achievement, as this years accolades have changed in comparison to previous years. In the past, region players that have made All-Region Teams; have been chosen from 5-8 teams. With the new classification, All-Sectional Teams are selected from 21 teams in total (16 of which, are from south of the valley). Chad was the only player from the valley that received accolades on both 1st and 2nd teams. Congrats as well, to Sophomore Outfielder Marcus Still, for his Honorable Mention status.
Junior outfielders, Derek Arrington and Carson Jones, were on honored Tuesday night at Queen Creek High Schools Annual Academic Awards Night. Derek and Carson continue the academic excellence shown by the baseball program's players. Congratulations to both of these outstanding young men!!!
Friday, April 19th, a new tradition was born at Bulldog Field. The Bulldogs program began a tradition in which we honor former Bulldogs that have used Queen Creek High School's Baseball Program as a stepping stone in their baseball career and continue on into the professional ranks. The first honoree to pay special tribute to- 2007 graduate, Heath Nichols. In the picture, Heath is joined by his mother, Beverly; father, Will; and brother, Austin. As a 2007 grad, Heath Nichols helped lead QCHS to a school record, 23 wins; and 2nd round finish in the state tournament against eventual state champ, Coronado High School. Heath spent most of his time on the bump, but when he wasn't playing on the hill, he could be found in a number of positions due to his willingness to help the team in any manner necessary. Despite only playing for the Bulldogs for two years, Heath was an All Region, All State, Senior All Star Game rep, 2007 East Sky Region "Pitcher of the Year" and Queen Creek's 1st ever Senior Sunbelt player for Team Arizona. Heath sits amongst the season and career leaders in 13 different offensive and pitching records; and is the career and/or season leader in Wins, Innings Pitched, Strikeouts, Complete Games and Shutouts. After his illustrious high school career, Heath accepted a scholarship to Mesa Community College and the College of Southern Idaho before becoming a 2009 Major League Baseball Draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. So far, in his 3-year career, Heath has an overall ERA of 3.69 and has struck out 170 hitters while walking only 79 in 53 appearances. In 2011, Heath was awarded the "Pitcher of the Month" for the Angels Organization following his stellar performance in the month of July. Despite the fact that Heath has received numerous accolades and a ton of recognition, he remains one of the most modest and respectful individuals to play this great game. When not attending workouts and playing for the Angels organization, Heath can be found at Bulldog field dropping bombs during BP and doing donuts in the baseball program's golf cart.
On a great side note, the Bulldogs took down the Evil Empire (Higley) in a 6-3 affair. Jaren Holmes continued his outstanding streak on the mound and Chad Leonard carried the offense with a 3-3 day; which included an Intentional walk and a double (3 RBI).
Despite out-hitting and out-pitching Williamsfield H.S. Tuesday, the Dogs fell 5-1. Queen Creek could not overcome 3 early defensive miscues that cost the Dogs 4 of the 5 runs that they surrendered. The Bulldogs' 8 hits weren't enough, despite only giving up 4 Blackhawk hits throughout the game. Marcus Still was the hard luck loser, going 5 Innings with the following line; 3 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Chad Leonard, Nathan Flores and Ryan Kottcamp all had a pair of knocks in the loss.
Sophomore Bohdy Forsgren, hit the game winning- bases loaded walk off single on Friday, in the bottom of the ninth and with two outs at home versus Division 1 foe, Perry High School. Forsgren made well with his only hit on the day, making it the most important for the Bulldogs. After the Bulldogs gave 2 runs to the Pumas, the boys rallied back to win a huge power point game in front of their home crowd. Chad Leonard and Marcus Still were outstanding on the bump and battled all 9 innings. Leonard chucked a great 7 innings, keeping Puma hitters off balanced. Still picked up the win in relief and went a perfect 2 innings- enticing a double play and striking out two. The Dogs begin their road stand, playing their next 3 games (a week and a half) away.
BULLDOGS BRING HOME HARDWARE!!!!!
Queen Creek 2012 Laveen Baseball Classic Champions!!!
The Bulldogs of Queen Creek fought off their counterparts of Douglas, to win the 2012 Laveen Baseball Classic D2/3 Championship on Saturday in a close contest. In the battle of the Bulldogs, QC outlasted a scrappy Douglass, 6-5 at Cesar Chavez H.S. The win propelled Queen Creek to a 4-1 overall record in the tournament. Despite quite a few defensive miscues throughout, the Bulldogs looked to their arms and bats to overcome their defensive struggles. Senior catcher/pitcher (and Mesa CC commit), Chad Leonard, earned the Jeff Pankenier MVP Trophy, in honor of the late North High School Head Coach. "Lenny" was 2-0 on the bump while throwing 6 scoreless innings (giving up only one hit and striking out 7). Lenny also hit .389, driving in 7 runs along with 3 2Bs and a 3B.
The Bulldogs overcame a case of "Leather Allergies" with outstanding pitching and a little timely hitting on Opening Day. QC pulled out a 6-0 win with 3 Bulldog pitchers combining to get the shutout. Chad Leonard was awesome on the bump, lasting 5 innings and picking up the W, surrendering only 1 hit while sitting down 7 and walking 1. Marcus Still (1 IP, 2 H, K) and Josh Andrews (1 IP, 2 K) helped shut the door on the Lions of Alhambra. Though the offense struggled a little, Still picked up a pair of hits, and Derek Arrington laced a timely 2-run single in his only place appearance.
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