Lobo Errors Give Cooper a Win
    By Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News 3-23-07

Monahans had one tough practice round before district when they faced eleventh ranked Lubbock Cooper Tuesday night. The Loboes fared well for the most part of the ballgame until the last two innings, when errors let Cooper slide further away.

The first inning was scoreless for both teams, who were tied at four after the third. Although Cooper scored four runs in the fourth inning, Monahans kept the game close by returning three runs in the fifth. Going into the final inning, it was a two-run game, 9-7, Lubbock Cooper. Cooper scored five runs in the final inning, due in part to Monahans errors which game the opponent a 14-7 lead.

"We played well for five and a half innings and then the bottom fell out.  The same problem that has plagued us from time - Errors at critical times - turned a close game, 9-7, to 14-7 giving up five innings on the bottom of the sixth," said coach Arcadio Revera.

Anthony Cota, Sean Merrick, and Paul Dominguez doubled, contributing to 13 Monahans hits.

"We out-hit Lubbock Cooper 13 hits to their 12, but they made one error to our five errors. You can not do that against the eleventh ranking team in 3A," said Rivera.

The first match-up between district rivals Monahans and Presidio is scheduled for this week.  Presidio participated in the local Sandhills Tournament earlier in the season, but was sent into conclusion before getting a chance to play the Loboes.  Monahans placed second in that tournament.

 The Monahans-Presidio games will be held Friday. JV will play at 5 pm, followed by varsity at 7 pm.

Keyed by Chance Helmers, Junior