Bagdad pitcher Connor Watson's historic run of no-hitters ends, keeps life in perspective

It was bound to end. And, with reporters coming to his next start, the pressure was mounting.

But Bagdad senior right-hander Connor Watson didn't let the first-inning single by Arizona State-bound shortstop Dante Turgeon frustrate him.

The streak of four no-hitters was over but he still had batters to focus on, a catcher to connect with, and an umpire that was squeezing the strike zone at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex, where people flocked around Field 1 on Saturday to see if the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder could continue his hitless streak on the mound.

"I don't really think about those things," Watson said. "Honestly, I just look at it as a new day and try to accomplish something different."

Watson ended up giving up four hits, and five walks, in the loss to 3A Benjamin Franklin of Queen Creek in the Epic baseball tournament semifinal in 4⅔ innings. 

"We didn't lose because Connor didn't throw well," Bagdad coach Dalton Mills said.

Bagdad is a 1A school in a central Arizona copper mining town of about 2,000 people, where Watson, finishing up his senior year, has been mostly the talk of the town.

He was the star quarterback in football and, for, a month, he was the most unhittable pitcher in Arizona high schools, at least in the 1A ranks. Between March 5 and April 8, he did not surrender a hit.

Read more: Bagdad pitcher Connor Watson has thrown 3 consecutive no-hitters

He didn't give up a hit in a 5-1 win over Yuma Gila Ridge on March 5. He then gave up no hits in a 31-0 win over Mayer on March 10, no hits in a 10-0 win over Santiam Christian on March 18, and no hits in a 13-0 win over Mohave Accelerated on March 29.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association doesn't keep records for consecutive no-hitters. But it's hard to believe somebody has had more than Watson.

When he's not pitching, he is Bagdad's starting catcher. He leads the Sultans with a .511 batting average, including a 2 for 3 day in the 7-4 loss to Benjamin Franklin.

Bagdad, ranked among the top four teams in 1A, looking for its first state title since 2018, when pitcher Israel Loveall was a bloop single away from a no-hitter in a 10-0 win over Superior.

Watson is the guy to lead the Sultans back.

Loveall in 2017 set eight-man passing records as a prolific quarterback.

He was one of the most decorated athletes to come through Bagdad, somebody Watson looked up to when he was in the eighth grade and Loveall led the Sultans to 1A state football title, setting national 8-man passing records; scored more than 1,000 points in basketball; and led the baseball team to 23 wins and the title as a dominating two-way player.

Watson didn't put up Loveall passing numbers but, coach Dalton Mills, who has worked with both players, believes Watson "might be more athletic."

"Loveall was a natural baseball player," Mills said. "They're a little different."

Watson is one of the strongest kids in the school, pounding it in the weight room with heavy weights. 

He has followed relatives who were star athletes at Bagdad with two uncles, John and David Watson, both pitchers at Yavapai Community College in Prescott. 

David Watson reached MLB Single-A level with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being taken in the 25th round out of Yavapai in 1989.

Connor throws hard, relying on two pitches, a fastball and slider.

He can overpower most 1A batters. He has struck out 68 batters in 30 2/3 innings and has the four wins.

He's well-known in Bagdad but he handles the notoriety modestly.

"The thing about Bagdad, everybody knows everybody in town," Watson said.

As far as feeling great responsibility every time he puts on the uniform, he said, "Yes and no, but most of the time, yes."

He watched Loveall carve up hitters during his remarkable senior season in 2018.

Watson, who will major in business management, will be playing baseball at Arizona Christian University.

First, he wants to go out of Bagdad with a state baseball title.

"We feel good about it," he said.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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