Entertainment

Scorpion Softball Aims to Leverage Last Season’s Lessons for a Stronger Comeback

Published

2 months ago

03/02/2025

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Scorpion Softball to build on experience from last season

The Sedona Red Rock High School softball team is gearing up for the start of their season, set to face the St. John Paul II Lions at home on February 26, followed closely by a matchup against the Mayer Wildcats on February 28.

Pitcher Natalie Juan Rodriguez expressed her excitement about the upcoming game with Mayer. “That’s one of the teams that we’re planning to beat again,” she asserted, highlighting the team’s competitive spirit.

Last season, the Scorpions made a strong impression by defeating the Mayer Wildcats 21-2 in their season opener and following that with an 18-1 victory later in the week. This past season concluded with a 5-8 record, showing marked improvement over the 2023 season’s 1-12 record, which featured only one win from a forfeit.

Second baseman Lorena Flores Juarez noted an influx of younger players joining the team, especially middle-schoolers. “It’s cool to see them practicing and viewing us as role models,” she added. This mentorship aspect is vital for developing future talent and fostering a strong team environment.

John Parks is stepping into the role of head coach, succeeding Athletic Director Pedro Ortega Sr. He is currently in the process of hiring an assistant while adjusting to this year’s shift from 2A Metro to 2A Central.

Ortega emphasized the return of experienced players, such as sophomore Maya Esquer-Morales, while also acknowledging that foundational skills need cultivation. “Parks will still have to work on the principles of the game,” he stated.

Parks shared his enthusiasm for the season, mentioning that they are fielding a team of 15 girls, marking the largest roster in a decade for Sedona Red Rock High. “We’ve got a lot of returning players, but we still wish we had more experience,” he said, noting the improvement in the middle school program over the years. He sees this as a positive trend for the future.

This year’s schedule presents a tougher challenge, and Parks aims to enhance each player’s individual skill set throughout the season. Catcher Brittney Hansbraugh revealed her personal goal of overcoming her previous fears and improving her hand-eye coordination.

Sophomore Maya Esquer-Morales set her sights on refining her skills at first base while working on team communication. “We’re in pretty good shape as a team because many of the girls came back from last year, and we’ve added a couple of new girls,” she explained.

Below is the SRRHS softball roster for the season: