COTTONWOOD — Xzayvier Buckner and Landon McGuirk each had three RBIs, Kaden Pusl struck out five and Mingus overpowered Shadow Mountain offensively in an 18-0 rout Wednesday afternoon.

It is the sixth straight win for the Marauders, (7-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon), which collected 12 hits and walked nine times during the five-inning shutout.

Pusl wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and Mingus responded offensively by plating six runs in their half of the frame, then added nine more in the fourth to put the game away.

“I tried to pitch to contact so my defense behind me could get to work,” Pusl said, adding he still has work to do with his two seam fastball.

“It needs to run a little more, and I need to hit my spots a little better,” Pusl said.

Wednesday’s game was the fourth time this season the Marauders have scored 16 or more runs and are currently averaging 11.1 runs per game.

Pusl pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits.

Buckner was 1 for 1 with three walks and two runs scored, McGuirk was 2 for 3 and Pops Godina was 2 for 4 with two RBIs in the win.

“Today, I would say, I saw all of us working as a team,” Godina said. “We hit the ball well today, especially with runners on. Everybody did their job today.”

Seventh-year head coach Erick Quesada said this year’s team is an older group, so the comradery is already showing early in the spring.

“It shows on the field. They’re a good team when they put it all together. I’m proud of how they’ve tied it all together in the last few games,” Quesada said, later adding, “Our expectation is to make the state tournament. There is no other standard.”

Mingus last made the state playoffs in 2018.

Shadow Mountain hurler Zach Zauner struggled from the outset, allowing seven earned runs on four hits and four walks before being pulled after just 1-1/3 innings pitched.

Zaunder and Trenten Seibert had the only two hits for the Matadors (4-5, 0-0 4A Skyline).

UP NEXT

Mingus travels south to play Estrella Foothills (4-0, 0-0 4A West Valley) on Thursday, March 7. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Shadow Mountain visits North Canyon (3-3, 1-1 5A Metro) on Thursday, 3:45 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.