Loboes stumble in District opener
    by Randy Hogan, Staff Writer  ~~ The Monahans News ~~ March 18, 2005

The Monahans Lobo baseball teamed hosted Presidio in District 3-AAA opener Tuesday night, but it was the Blue Devils who delivered a message to the entire district in the form of a 12-0 victory over the Loboes.

Presidio (10-9-1), left no doubt that they are the team to beat in 2005, as they played a near perfect game shutting out the Loboes.  Monahans (7-5-1) kept it scoreless through two inning before giving up a 3 run home run to Alex Calderon in the third inning.

The Loboes mounted a threat of their own, but ended the inning stranding Anthony Cota and Kenny Almanza on second and third base and trailing 3-0.

The fourth inning started out like the third ended for Presidio.  Leading off with a single and two consecutive walks, the Blue Devils turned up the heat by loading the bases twice.  Presidio ended the top half of the inning scoring 5 more runs.  The Loboes once again advanced Todd Cosby to second base before a strikeout ended the inning.  "Up to this point, we had been playing well," said Coach Arcadio Rivera.  "I am disappointed with our aggressiveness tonight."  The fourth inning ended with Presidio on top 8-0.

The Loboes regrouped in the fifth inning, and Rivera sent in Mike Gonzales to relieve starter Miguel Gonzales.  Mike went to work instantly striking out preseason All State selection Juan Aguilar.  The Mean Green controlled the high powered Blue Devil offense and retired the side with no runs.  Lobo batters were once again silenced by the Presidio defense.

Going into the top half of the seventh inning, the Loboes trailed 8-0.  Symbolic of the rain fall that showered Perry Nunely Field, the Blue Devils poured it on with an impressive display.  Calderon blasted his second homerun of the game, clearing the bases.  Not to be outdone, Class 3A All State candidate Armando Dominguez stepped up to the plate and demonstrated his power by launching a solo homerun, giving Presidio their first district win of the season 12-0.

The Loboes travel to Pecos Friday night to take on the Pecos Eagles in a battle of old rivals.  "Pecos will be a big game for us," added Rivera.  Lobo fans are encouraged to make the trip and support the Green in this important District 3-AAA match up.  Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.

keyed by Bryan Smith