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Ignacio's Stoney White Thunder pitches during the first of two games Friday afternoon, March 28, against Monte Vista at IHS Fiel
Ignacio's Ambrose Valdez rips a run-scoring base hit during the first of two games Friday afternoon, March 28, against Monte Vista at IHS Field.
Photo Credit: Joel Priest | Special to the Drum
Photo Credit: Joel Priest | Special to the Drum
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Late-charging ’Cats drop two to Pirates

Thursday - April 3, 2025 by Joel Priest | Special to the Drum

IHS swept in varsity’s first doubleheader 

Willing to fight like a cornered, well, bobcat, Ignacio’s ’Cats made sure to make their last-inning at-bats Friday afternoon, March 28, as fierce and productive as possible. 

Unfortunately, visiting Monte Vista was already too far gone in both games of the non-league doubleheader at IHS Field, for junior Gabe Archuleta’s fourth-inning RBI-triple in Game 1, and fifth-inning RBI-singles by junior Stoney White Thunder and senior Cole Wagner in Game 2 to truly have the needed prolonging effects. 

And after Wagner’s knock up the middle-plated Archuleta, bringing the home team back to within a dozen runs, junior Ambrose Valdez went down swinging against MVHS’ Michael Hensley, and Easton Smith did likewise – with catcher Kaden Madrid retrieving the dropped third strike, then throwing it to first baseman Landon Sanchez to complete a 17-4, 14-2 sweep. 

White Thunder and Smith each went 1-for-3 in Game 2 – which was actually tight through three innings, with the Pirates leading by just a 2-0 margin – and Wagner was 1-2 with a walk. Archuleta went 0-2 with a walk and a run scored, while Joseph Atencio drew two walks and finished 0-0 with a run. 

One run was enough to gain IHS the lead after one frame in Game 1, but Monte Vista responded with two in the top of the second and then broke things wide open by scratching out six runs in the top of the third. Valdez and White Thunder each ended up 2-for-3, with Valdez credited with two RBI and White Thunder one (plus a run scored). Archuleta (2 R) and Wagner each finished 1-3, and Max Mendoza went 0-2 but reached via error and scored once.  

Having defeated 2A/1A San Juan Basin League rival Dolores 13-3 on the 25th, Ignacio slipped to 1-2 overall (1-0 SJBL) in the still-young 2025 season. Coming to town rested from, but still motivated by, a 2-1 showing at the 3/21-22 Crowley County/Fowler Tournament, Monte Vista improved to 4-2 (0-0 2A Southern Peaks). 

Looking ahead at the schedule, the Bobcats will travel Saturday, April 5, to Dolores for an 11 a.m. doubleheader at Joe Rowell Park, and then visit Nucla on the 8th for a singular 2 p.m. test. Results from IHS’ 2:30 p.m. home SJBL game on the 1st against Dove Creek (0-2, 0-0) were unavailable at press time. 

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