Cassie Campise is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com

SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. -- The  McClintock Chargers started the game hot, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 9-4 loss to the Poston Butte Broncos on Saturday afternoon.

Coach Larry Patterson was thrilled with how they started the first inning in their last game of the 2020 Tomas Pinon/ Matt Huffman Memorial Tournament with three quick runs.

“I’m excited about the fact that we are capable of jumping on a pitcher right away,” Patterson said. 

Though they started their first inning off strong, the Broncos immediately responded with four runs in the bottom of the first to make the game 4-3. From then on, the Chargers were able to make a run in the sixth inning, but it wasn’t enough to come close.

“We are not quite where we want to be when getting it done and needing to make the plays, but we’re getting there,” Patterson said.

Patterson is exactly right. This was the second game the Chargers were able to challenge their opponents. The first game was against Maricopa where they lost in a close game 7-5.

With the tournament coming to a close, the biggest challenge Patterson thought the team faced was on the mound. 

“We need to do a better job at challenging the hitters when we have a lead and that’s a learning lesson,” Patterson said.

Although they struggled, the biggest takeaway from the game was the versatility of the team and their energy.

Patterson said their energy levels have improved and players are recognizing the key roles they have in the game.  He was able to see how many players were capable of playing in different positions than usual.

One versatile player is Mathias Sanders, who played catcher. Sophomore Pedro Quero is usually the starting catcher for the team.

“We were really really impressed with him today,” assistant coach Harold Bull said.

Sanders showed “a lot of energy and great leadership,” per Bull.

 Bull said, despite the loss, “the team pushed it to the very end and that will pay off for them.”

“The biggest thing we need to work on in practice is base running and continuing to work on ground balls and fly balls,” Bull said.

Senior first baseman Caleub Bueno was happy with how they started but disappointed with the end result. 

“We need to work on hitting offensively and making those plays defensively that are easy and getting them down,” Bueno said.

Going forward, Bueno is not letting the tournament define his team. He said these games were only a learning lesson ahead of the regular season.

“We’re going to erase it. We are going to move on, have a clean slate, and start the season off strong against Marcos and get that dub,” Bueno said.

McClintock faces one of its rivals, Marcos De Niza, on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.