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Escobado Tournament

Pueblo Azteca baseball reaches 'Bado semifinals for the second straight tourney

BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 26, 2022

With the 'Bado tournament on the line Saturday, the Pueblo Azteca came away with two victories and a spot in the semifinal on Sunday.

This time there were no weather delays in any games at the Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament, and all games were completed.

For host team Pueblo Azteca 18U, Saturday was reminiscent of last week’s tournament at the ‘Nuch. Two games, two wins, and you’re in. It's that simple. Except for the fact that for the first game, they had to face off against the team they lost to in the ‘Nuch finals last week, the Victus Recruits.

With Victus Recruits tied with Bercovich 35 Honors upon the top of the Clementi Division, Azteca needed the head-to-head victory over Victus to get to the semifinals.

Starting pitcher Jace Barger went out to throw a masterful game, completing seven innings and giving up only four hits with no runs in the 1-0 win.

A win in the second game, against Bessemer Baseball, then solidified their position.

The host team came out swinging and were able to put three runs up on Bessemer early in the first inning. They added two more runs in the third inning and in the fourth inning to stretch the lead to 7-1.

Because there was a slight possibility that the records of all three teams, (Bercovich, Victus, and Azteca) could all be tied at the end of the day, run differential was going to play a huge factor.

So rather than sitting back in the seventh inning with a six-run lead, the Azteca were determined to put up more runs, and that’s what they did. Six, in fact. They doubled their score in the final frame and were able to pull off the victory 12-1.

Coach Dylan Gavin was thrilled after the performance his team put up in both games. He spoke about how it all starts with pitching.

“Every baseball game starts with the man on the mound,” Gavin said. “And we performed well, we had a good rhythm and good tempo. Coach Potts has really been working with our pitchers on getting the ball, getting a sign, and delivering the pitch that they see and ... our tempo has been good, and that's helping us carry over to our bats in the dugout.”

There were two keys to winning the games: The Azteca were determined from the start of the day not to lose. And both of their starting pitchers, Barger in the first game and Jake Olguin-Pacheco in the second, went the complete game.

“I'm feeling good,” Pacheco said. “Our team is playing well, so just ready for (Sunday) to go to get it done.”

Pacheco threw a gem of his own in the second game and talked about how it's easy to pitch out there when you have the solid defense playing behind you.

“I just throw strikes and let my defense play,” Pacheco said. “I know I have a solid defense out there making the plays, so as long as I throw it in the zone, we will be fine.”

It helps to have an offense that can put up big numbers, and Caton Lodice had a big game in the second matchup against Bessemer. He finished with 3-4 with four RBIs in the game and finally broke out of the hitting slump that he has been in.

“It's nice to get out of slump finally,” Lodice said. “I’ve been struggling lately, but today I just found the baseball.”

Lodice praised his pitcher's performance, saying it's easy to go out and play defense when they have the kind of pitching they do on the mound. Both he and Pacheco were happy with the day's performance but both know that the job is not finished.

“We need another win like last week,” Lodice said.

The fact that the team has come this far and has not burned out most of its pitching or hitting is crucial.

This will come in huge for the final day of play. The semifinals will be a tough matchup against 4C Prime. 4C and Azteca met last week in the semifinals of the ‘Nuch tournament. It will be an opportunity for the former champs to get some revenge on the upstart Azteca team.

“You know that's a great ball club, you know they're going to be ready, they're going to want to come out and get us,” Gavin said. "We definitely have a big challenge ahead of us whomever we get out of the other side."

Gavin knows they need to just settle in and play Azteca-style baseball in order for them to have a chance of making it to the final game.

“Keep momentum and keep enjoying each other,” Gavin said. “That's what this team is really doing a good job of, is enjoying one another and enjoying the success of their teammates when they do have success in the game, and that's what's really taking us far right now.”

The rest of the action Saturday
Bercovich 35 Honors ended up finishing with the best record in the tournament as they won both of their games, first against Burkburnett and then against CBA Taylor. They ended up as the No. 1 seed in the Clementi Division.

Victus Recruits had their one matchup against Azteca 18U and ended up finishing third in the division. Burkburnett also lost their only matchup of the day against Bercovich and ended up with a tie for fourth in the division.

Bessemer got on the board with a win against CBA Tayor in their final game of the tournament, and tied for fourth. CBA Taylor rounded out the Clementi division in last place and lost both of their games.

In the Williams Division, the 4C Prime had an off day on the final day, losing their first matchup to Cherry Creek, but they bounced back with a win against Azteca 17U to lock the No. 1 seed in the division.

The Colton Nighthawks finished second in the division behind 4C as they defeated Cherry Creek in their final game of the tournament. The Nighthawks will compete in the semifinals against Bercovich.

The rest of the division played itself out, with Cherry Creek finishing in a tie for third with Texas United, and Azteca 17U finishing in last place.

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter @chowebacca.

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Escobado Tournament

Weather delay doesn't bother the bats at 'Bado; Pueblo Azteca wins off of stellar pitching

BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 25, 2022

Day two of the ‘Bado tournament was underway Friday when once again weather decided it wanted to play as well, but after a weather delay, the Azteca came out on top 12-1 in five innings.

For the second straight night, games were delayed due to inclement weather. However, all the day two games were able to be completed and day three will have adjusted game times due to the possible incoming weather scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

The Pueblo Azteca 18U’s game against Burkburnett stopped midway through the top of the fourth inning and was delayed by almost an hour.

Casillas delivers a pitching gem
Mike Casillas took the mound for the Azteca 18U team and threw three solid innings. He had two strikeouts in the first inning and a ground out as well to make quick work of the top of the lineup for the Blacksocks. He gave up a few singles and a run in the second but also had two more strikeouts. In the third inning of work, Casillas threw another two strikeouts and caused a pop-out to have another clean inning.

“He was in the zone,” coach Dylan Gavin said of his starting pitcher. “He had a heavy fastball; you know, it took a couple of innings to find his slider but as long as it's around the plate, he can work off of it with the fastball. It's a little easier to play defense when you don't have to pick it when he's up there striking people off, so yeah, he looked good tonight.”

 The weather delay came at the top of the fourth inning, and that was the end of Casillas’ pitching night, but he stayed in to play defense and was up to bat after the weather delay. At the plate, he went 2-2 with two walks and two stolen bases and scored three runs. This was just a part of the offensive explosion the Aztecas had in this game.

Bustin' runs at the ‘Bado
Jace Barger connects for a hit during the Pueblo Azteca 18-and-under team game against the Burkburnett Blacksox at the Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament on Friday, June 24, 2022.

The Aztecas came out with a bang, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Casillas started things off with a single and a stolen base. Derrick Domenico walked, and a passed ball allowed Casillas to score the first run of the game. Catcher Cody Macias was able to drive in Domenico with an RBI groundout. Jace Barger got on base due to an error and eventually came around to score the third run of the inning on another passed ball.

In the second inning, the Aztecas put up another three runs with some solid hitting. Caton Lodice started it off with a single and would move to second with a sacrifice bunt by Joel Gonzales. Casillas would come up and single and move Lodice to third and then promptly stole second. Domenico would then drive in both runners with a single to add to the lead. After a groundout moved Domenico to third, Macias would single and drive in the third run of the game.

In the third inning, the offense found its groove once again. The first six batters in the inning all reached base and scored a run. Back-to-back doubles from Cade Bleeker and Matt Casillas started the third inning off for the Aztecas. Lodice drew a walk, and Gonzales drove in two more runs. Mike Casillas also drew a walk, and Domenico got a single to load the bases. After a sac fly from Jake Olguin-Pacheco, Macias got a double in the last two runs of the inning.

The score at the end of three innings was 12-1.

With the team up 12-1, it was up to Justin Arellano to come in a seal the deal for the Aztecas.

He nearly had a perfect fourth inning, throwing 10 pitches and landing nine of them for strikes. It was quick and efficient, something the Azteca team needed after a lengthy delay.

The fifth inning was much of the same, and Arellano got a line out, a strikeout, and a runner thrown out at second trying to advance on an error.

 The Aztecas keep their hopes of playing on the final day alive once again.

“It was a good quality win," Gavin said, complimenting his team on"playing the game before we knew we had to come out early and kind of set the tone early and put them away. And that's what we did.”

The weather is always a worry when you have a lead, and Gavin was definitely aware of that. Luckily, Arellano was on point.

“We had a big lead going into there, and we just had to make sure we kept that energy that we had all game," Arellano said.

“Coach Potts always talks about pace. Once I get going, I keep my pace up. You know, that's when I feel like I start doing my best,” Arellano said.

Making it to the final day of the tournament will be an uphill battle for the team. They need to win their next two games and hope for some help as well, similar to last week during the ‘Nuch tournament, when the team was 1-1 going into the final day of play.

“We have been in this position before,” Gavin said. “It's definitely doable, we just need to go pitch by pitch (and) don't worry about the second game; worry about the first game. We have a tough opponent, and we saw them last week; they'll be ready to go. They have good arms, they take good at-bats, we have got to be clean defensively and go show them what we have.”

The Aztecas play Victus Recruits at 9 a.m. Saturday at CSU Pueblo and then Bessemer Baseball at 11:30 a.m.

They last played Victus in the championship game of the ‘Nuch a week ago. Arellano echoed his coaches' words on what they need to do to have a chance to play on Sunday.

“We just got to keep our energy high and get our revenge,” Arellano said.

The rest of Friday's action
Victus Recruits won both of their games on Friday to stay atop of the division. They defeated CBA Taylor 7-4 and Bessemer Baseball 8-3. Bercovich 35 Honors had only one game, and they defeated Bessemer 12-4.

Colton Nighthawks went 1-1 on the day with a loss to 4C Prime and a victory over Texas United. United lost both of their games as 4C Prime took the victory earlier in the day against United.

More:Artie Escobado Tournament kicks off in first year as Connie Mack World Series qualifier

Burkburnett also went 1-1 on the day with a loss to the Azteca 18U team and a victory over CBA Taylor. The Azteca 17U suffered another loss in the tournament, this time to Cherry Creek 10-1.

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter @chowebacca.

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Escobado Tournament

Pueblo Azteca loses in walkoff as 'Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament starts with a bang

BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 24, 2022

The first round of the Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament was played Thursday evening and the day went off with a ‘Bado bang.

The home teams from Pueblo both lost their opening-round matchups against California-based teams, but by vastly different margins.

The Azteca 17U team lost its first game 14-2 to the No.3-ranked team in the nation, the Colton Nighthawks, while the Azteca 18U team lost its first game in a nail-biter that ended with a final score of 12-11 in six innings.

Azteca 18U lost on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the sixth after the game was called early due to time constraints following a weather delay.

Azteca 17U loses game, gains experience
It was evident from the start of the game that the young, but talented Azteca 17U team would be outmatched by the more experienced Nighthawks, as their pitching staff was throwing heaters close to 90 mph.

The Azteca 17U team had trouble keeping up with the fastball and was unable to string together multiple hits in the same inning.

Azteca also struggled with pitching, as Nighthawks batters picked apart Azteca pitchers. Even an hour-long lightning delay didn’t slow the Nighrhawks' bats and the team from California steamrolled the Pueblo team 14-2.

Azteca 17U coach Dallas Davis spoke after the game about the difficult matchup and said his team will have to get used to facing elite talent during the tournament.

“As a whole, I think our team did amazing, but we’ve just got to have more timely hits,” Davis said. “That's what it came down to, but I'm proud of my boys for what they did and what they went up against and they didn't shy away.”

Roy Higinbotham gets the out at first base during the Pueblo Azteca 17-and-under team's game against the Colton Nighthawks at the Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament on Thursday, June 23, 2022.

Azteca 18U game comes down to the wire
The Azteca 18U team saw significantly more success in its matchup against Bercovich 35 Honors. The game was delayed due to weather, which meant it didn’t start until nearly two hours after its scheduled time, leading to a shortened game.

Starting pitcher Cade Bleeker took the mound for the Azteca team and struggled, giving up seven runs in the first inning. But Azteca responded in the top of the second inning, scoring seven runs of their own to tie the game.

The score went back and forth from there: Bercovich tacked on two more runs in the second to regain the lead; in the top of the fifth, Azteca took the lead back 11-9.

Then, in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded, Azteca made a pitching change and brought in Braxton Vail, who came into the game with one out and got his team out of a jam.

“My mindset is I just need to get that batter out,” Vail said of coming in to pitch in a high-pressure situation. “I just need to focus on that batter and I can't worry about the runners or else I'll start over thinking.”

In the middle of the sixth inning, with the home team down two runs, the umpire announced the game would end in the sixth as opposed to the seventh due to time constraints, which put pressure on Azteca to close the game out.

Vail was still on the mound and got the inning’s first out, but Bercovich loaded the bases.

Due to a pitching count rule, Vail was pulled in the sixth with the bases loaded and a one-run lead, at which point pitcher Mike Casillas came in and gave up a walk and a base hit, sending two runners home and ending the game in a 12-11 Bercovich win.

Azteca Coach Dylan Gavin said after the game it was a tough way to lose, but noted he was proud of the way his team played.

“We battled, they got some good arms on that end there and a deep squad,” Gavin said. “We stayed in there. We didn't get down on ourselves. We kept momentum when we got momentum and we kind of carried that through the middle innings which gave us a chance to win at the end.

“It didn't end up how we would’ve liked it but I'm very proud of the effort from the boys today.”

 Despite the loss, Vail said it is “great experience” facing some of the high-quality athletes playing in this year’s tournament.

“I get to see different arms. We saw higher 80s (pitches) today and then we'll see a good arm (Friday), so it's good for next year because I'm going to be a senior,” Vail said. “So I'll be able to pick up different things throughout the year.”

Gavin said he knows Thursday’s game just the beginning for his team in facing tough competition, as the tournament is loaded with talent.

“From top to bottom, the entire tournament has good teams, so you're going to have to square up every single night and kind of see what you have,” Gavin said.

The rest of the Day 1 action
Only two other games were played on the first day of the tournament. Victus Recruits, the 2022 Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball Tournament winners, faced off against Burkburnett and won their game 13-1.

In the penultimate game of day, Texas United faced off against Cherry Creek. The young squad from Colorado was no match for the team from Texas as United won 9-1.

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter @chowebacca.

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Escobado Tournament

Artie Escobado Tournament kicks off in first year as Connie Mack World Series qualifier

BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 23, 2022

The stakes have never been higher at the Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament, which kicks off June 23 at Runyon Field Sports Complex in Pueblo.

For the first time in its 15-year history, this year’s tournament, commonly known as the ‘Bado, will serve as a regional qualifier for the Connie Mack World Series.

The ‘Bado’s defending champions, the hometown Pueblo Azteca 18-and-under team, will lead a field of 11 squads, some from Colorado and others traveling from as far as Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and California.

The tournament will have two host teams, Pueblo Azteca 18U, which finished second in last week's Tony Andenucio Memorial Baseball Tournament, and Azteca 17U.

Azteca 17U’s first game begins at 5 p.m. Thursday at ‘Nuch Field; they’ll take on the Colton Nighthawks, currently the No. 3 ranked team in the nation.

Azteca 18U will play Bercovich 35 Honors, another California team, at 7:30 p.m. on Hobbs Field.

More information on the tournament, including a full schedule, can be found at runyonfieldsportscomplex.org.

How did the ‘Bado get started?
Back in 2008, Dave Dudley, who was the executive director at Runyon, approached Mike Escobado about hosting a tournament in honor of Mike’s brother Artie, who’d passed away. Both Dudley and Mike played baseball with Artie and felt the tournament would be a fitting way to honor his memory.

Since then, the 'Bado has blossomed into a competitive showcase of young talent, which was cemented this year when it became a Connie Mack qualifier.

Next year’s tournament will still be the Artie Escobado Memorial, but will also be known as the AABC Connie Mack Mountain West Regional World Series Qualifier.

Pueblo was awarded the regional tournament after its previous host was unable to accommodate it due to remodeling. Larry Romero, who works with Runyon, and Mike Escobado reached out to Connie Mack to see what it would take to let Pueblo host.

Remarkably, they said, it wasn’t much: just a good field and guaranteed prize money for the winner were needed.

Getting approval for Runyon Field was the easy part — the Connie Mack home office was already aware of what a great field it is — the tough part was guaranteeing the money. Mike Escobado stepped up and assured them that the money would be there even if he and his family had to put it up themselves.

With Escobado’s word in place, the tournament was awarded to Pueblo.

“One of the things that I really thought about is that it's not only going to be fantastic for the Pueblo baseball community and the southern Colorado baseball community, but for the Pueblo community as a whole, business-wise,” Escobado said.

“They have these teams coming in traveling now and the hotel implications, everything for the Pueblo business community, it's a trickledown effect. The hotels, the restaurants, gas stations, everything … it's really good for the Pueblo community and these teams can see that Pueblo is a really secret community that has a lot to offer.”

Things to do while you're in town:Heading to Pueblo for the 'Nuch? Here are some of the top places to go and things to do

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on twitter @chowebacca

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Escobado Tournament

The 'Bado In The News

Pueblo Azteca loses second tournament final in a week with 9-1 loss in 'Bado championship
BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 27, 2022

Pueblo Azteca baseball reaches 'Bado semifinals for the second straight tourney
BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 26, 2022

Weather delay doesn't bother the bats at 'Bado; Pueblo Azteca wins off of stellar pitching
BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 25, 2022

Pueblo Azteca loses in walkoff as 'Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament starts with a bang
BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 24, 2022

Artie Escobado Tournament kicks off in first year as Connie Mack World Series qualifier
BY CHRIS ABDELMALEK | The Pueblo Chieftain | JUN. 23, 2022

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Escobado Tournament

Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament

Welcome to the16th Annual Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament and thank you to all the participants. We are glad so many of you continue to support this tournament with your attendance and we are grateful for all the teams, new and old, which continue to be a part of this tournament! Welcome!

The inaugural Artie Escobado Memorial Tournament was held June 2-4, 2006. The tournament began as, and continues to be a tribute to Artie Escobado, who died tragically at the age of 29 in an automobile accident.

Artie played Old Timers Baseball as a young boy and went on to play at Pueblo Central High School from 1967 to 1969. During the summers he was busy with Legion Ball and eventually began coaching Legion Ball at Runyon Field. Artie was selflessly committed to teaching and coaching boys and girls of all ages the game of baseball, which he fervently loved.

After graduating from Pueblo Central High School in 1969, he was awarded one of eight national Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Scholarships; which provided him a full ride at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Artie also played fast-pitch softball for Pueblo Aztec Softball Club, 1978, 1979, and 1981. In 1974, Artie decided to move to Dillon Colorado and work in the Union as a Certified Ironworker.

The entire Escobado Family is very happy to be able to present this tournament to Pueblo. We thank you for helping us celebrate Artie's contributions to baseball, his contributions to his family and friends and in general his beautiful short life by attending and participating in this year's Memorial Tournament!

Arthur Epifano Escobado
January 20, 1930 — January 21, 2022

In Loving Memory of Arthur Escobado who passed away on January 21, 2022.

Arthur founded Azteca Apartments in 1978 which his family owns and operates today. He was very active in the business community where he served on many Boards and Charitable Organizations. He and his family sponsor the Azteca Baseball Club and the girls Azteca Softball Club and he also coached and sponsored numerous baseball, basketball and soccer teams in Pueblo.

He was a visionary for Pueblo and our family. He leaves behind a legacy of the love for his family, his commitment to his business and community, his faith in his beliefs and most of all, the time he afforded his family and his fellow man. Arthur will be sadly missed by all those that knew him.

2024 Artie Escobado Schedule/Results (Final)
Boxscore: Wow Factor @ AZTECA 18U

2024 Artie Escobado Tournament Champions - Pueblo Azteca 18U

All-Tournament Team: Cash Rinker, Greeley Grays 18U; Gage Davis, Greeley Grays 18U; Ryker Rattcliff, Spradley 18U; Kade Ortiz, Azteca 16; Cole Barger, Azteca 17U; Jacob Vonfersmith, Wow Factor; Micah Herring, Wow Factor; Zackari Sanders, Azteca 18U; Ryan Stark, Azteca 18U; Most Valuable Pitcher: Frank Flores, Azteca 18U; Most Valuable Player: Colton Calderon, Azteca 18U; Title Game: Azteca 18U 10, Wow Factor 0 (5 innings)

Boxscores

June 27: Hobbs Field
4:00 p.m.Wow Factor @ Azteca 17U
7:00 p.m.FFC Summer @ Azteca 18U

June 28: Hobbs Field
4:00 p.m.FFC Summer @ Azteca 17U
7:00 p.m.Wow Factor @ Azteca 18U

June 30: Hobbs Field
10:00 a.m.PuebLocos @ Azteca 16U
1:00 p.m.Greeley Grays @ Azteca 18U

Consolation Championship:
4:00 p.m.Greeley Grays @ Spradley 18U

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Escobado Tournament

2024 Artie Escobado Schedule

Selected Escobado Tournament Games on Radio

For the first time ever, selected Escobado Tournament games will be live on the radio with play-by-play personality JJ Valentine. Scan the QR code at right to view a list of radio games this weekend!

Boxscores

June 27: 4 p.m. (Hobbs Field)

Wow Factor at Azteca 17U