Broncos in cruise control as Spartans' struggles continue

While the two are no longer regional opponents and aren’t required to face off twice in the regular season, the programs made sure to schedule a freedom game to keep the excitement going.

After rescheduling the game twice due to a rain storm and then poor field conditions after the storm a week ago, the game was finally played on Friday as the Broncos won 5-2 and extended their win streak against the Spartans to six games.

Both teams have five regular season games under their belts and are headed in opposite directions as the Broncos are 5-0 while the Spartans (0-5) continue to look for that first win of the regular season.

There was some uncertainty as to how Poston Butte would look after graduating a lot of senior talent and a slightly slow start in a preseason tournament, but when it comes to games that matter in the power rankings — the Broncos have not missed a beat.

“We aren’t the biggest or most talented or any of that, but we have kids that scrap and battle and understand what it means to put our jersey on and come represent this team,” Poston Butte head coach Chris Holcombe said. “They understand what the standards are at our school. They come out and compete every day and really we just don’t give them a choice, it’s the culture of the program.”

For Vista Grande it was the exact opposite as the Spartans appeared to be on cruise control in the preseason and then hit a massive bump in the road.

“We’ve lost five straight,” Vista Grande assistant coach Victor Olivares said. “Our main focus was to have a really good practice (on Thursday) and keep it competitive. We thought Trent (Chavez) pitched a hell of a game, good enough to win, but we’re just struggling at the plate right now. Every team has its ups and downs, and unfortunately it’s down for us right now.”

It didn’t take long for the Broncos to get on the board as Derek Dalmacio belted a solo shot in the second inning. Poston Butte then added another run in the following inning as Connor Lopez scored Tanner McKenzie from second.

The Spartans, who have struggled to string together hits only racked up three against Lopez.

Sebastian Hidrogo led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and then advanced to third on a ground ball by Nick Valdez. Hidrogo came around to score on a single to left field by Braxden Stewart.

Lopez majority of the heavy lifting for Poston Butte as he pitched a complete game with one walk and five strikeouts. He also went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs.

The senior brought in two more runs in the fifth after Damien Serrano and McKenzie led off the inning with back-to-back singles. McKenzie also hit a solo homer in the seventh.

Vista Grande tried to mount a comeback in the final half inning as Tanner Walter made his way to first after being hit by a pitch with one out.

Trent Chavez was unable to move him over as he flew out to right field, but Josh Haddox came through with a double to score Walter.

“The odd thing about this year is we had a lot of good hitters that played the same spots coming through the program,” Holcombe said. “What you’re seeing is guys that have had to learn a different position quickly. … We got to just balance it out, but the biggest thing is we’ve had to move some guys around to accommodate getting their bats in the lineup.”

Chavez took the loss for the Spartans as he pitched six innings and scattered seven hits, four of the five runs were earned, and he struck out seven.

“His last outing he had a lot of walks and stuff like that,” Olivares said. “Our only positive was Trent throwing a hell of a game. He attacked the zone and had a couple of mistakes, but keeping Poston Butte to five runs — we’re happy with that.”

Aiden Valencia tossed the final inning and struck out two while giving up one hit.

Vista Grande’s next regular season game is Wednesday at American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North

“Hopefully we just press the reset button,” Oilvares said of getting the Spartans out of their hitting slump. “We just don’t know, we’re trying to figure that out ourselves.”

Poston Butte will compete in the Bob Everett Classic to start the week and will then travel to Phoenix Thunderbird on Thursday.