Catalina Foothills baseball coach Jim Baldwin quickly grew tired of watching Sunnyside's Adam Moraga beat up on his team this season.
So, Baldwin selected Moraga with his first pick out of a pool of 46 juniors and sophomores participating in Tuesday night's Division II Futures All-Star game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The choice paid off.
Moraga brought in the winning run with a bases-loaded, full-count, walk-off walk with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to score Salpointe Catholic catcher Robby Campillo and give Team Copper the 5-4 win over Team Teal.
The Division II Futures game was the first of four All-Star games this week, featuring more than 170 of the area's top players. The inaugural event is put on by Garb Athletics and OC Sports Southern Arizona High School All-Star Games along with Kino Baseball League and the Southern Arizona Baseball Coaches Association.
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The Division II Seniors play Wednesday at 7 p.m. and the Division III/IV Seniors face off on Thursday. The event wraps up Friday night with the Division III/IV Futures game.
Campillo mentioned it's always important to win, but was just happy to be playing with this group, as he picked up a few things.
“I learned some new routines before games, what to think when I'm on deck,” Campillo said. “It's an amazing group of guys, I want to be apart of it next year.”
Team Copper trailed 4-2 in the sixth inning until Nogales' Edgar Ambriz singled home Ironwood Ridge's Derek Daly. Three batters later, Foothills' Troy Gutbub reached base on an error, which tied the game.
Team Teal – managed by Tucson High assistant coach George Arias – struck first when Canyon del Oro's Tristan Peterson tripled home Tucson High's Jacob Federico and I-Ridge's Jake Engel added an RBI on an infield single to grab a two-run lead in the first inning.
Peterson, who is considered to be one of Arizona's best pure hitter, finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI triple. Fresh off a state championship with the Dorados a week ago, Peterson said he was “just looking to have fun,” and relished the chance to play with friends and swap season stories.
“I know a lot of these guys, so its fun playing with them,” Peterson said. “You get to know them a little more on-and-off the field, we get to talk about our season. We don't always get that opportunity.”
Arias, who was once the player to be named later in a package trade to the San Diego Padres for Ricky Henderson, was pleased with the event and hopes to see another in the future.
“To see guys play at this stage, its fascinating,” Arias said. “Because I've been there, through that road. This is a great experience for the kids. They worked hard all year and this is something that recognizes that year.”
Five of the final eight teams in the postseason were from Southern Arizona, including the final four, Baldwin — a Marana grad — believes fans are beginning see why Tucson is considered a breeding ground for baseball players.
“I enjoyed coaching these guys because they're the future, thats the name of the game. These guys love baseball,” Baldwin said. “It's exciting for these guys to showcase themselves, especially schools like Douglas and Nogales to drive up here and see where they stand against the Tucson schools.”
Both managers made sure each player got into the 11-inning contest as they went through a combined 46 players and 17 pitchers.
“Our goal was to divide the schools, make sure everyone got uncomfortable, played catch with someone new,” Baldwin said. “During the school year, because it's competition, you don't like the other team, but you realize they have the same passion and the same love for baseball.”
BOX SCORE
TEAM COPPER 5, TEAM TEAL 4 (11 INN.)
Teal 202 000 000 00 – 4 5 2
Copper 010 101 000 01 – 5 9 2
W – Treatch. L – Berryhill. 2B: TEAL – Peterson 2. 3B: COPP – Campillo. TEAL – Federico, Peterson, Gonzales.
