Lobo Ball Season Ends at Area
     By Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~The Monahans News, May 12, 2008

The Lobo baseball team traveled to Midland to face Lubbock Cooper in the area round of playoff over the weekend. The Pirates defeated Monahans in two games, but not without a good fight.

Cooper took a slim, one-run win in game one on Friday to take an advantage in the series.

On Saturday, Monahans would have to win both games to keep a chance at a playoff run.

The Pirates took one run in the first, which Monahans answered in the top of the second with four.

With Steven Valles pitching, Monahans defended the bottom to keep the 4-1 lead.

It was not until the third that the Pirates threatened. Two sacrifice flies kept Cooper in the game, trailing by a single run.

The Loboes needed some insurance runs to be able to secure a win, but Cooper cashed in for a hefty lead in the sixth.

After three base hits, Cooper brought in a run to tie the game. Another base hit loaded the bases.

In the next at-bat, Cooper took advantage of Monahans' errors to bring in three weighty runs. It might have been two, but when a desperate toss form Valles to Horton was lost near home plate, the runner got an easy score.

In the final inning, Blake Hughes hit to first base, then Chase Williams double to bring him in. Williams doubled to bring him in. Williams was left stranded with the final out, and the Pirates took the 7-5 win over Monahans.

After the area- round loss, the season is over for the Loboes, but Monahans can now add '08 to the ballpark sign as the bi- district champs.

keyed by Jennifer Lario, Junior 07-08