Dolores junior Declan Warren and the Bears took home their first win of the season thanks to Warren’s four RBIs in a 24-6 victory over Nucla. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)
Panthers cruise to repeat at Trent Goscha Invitational; Bears pounce on Nucla
M-CHS 22, Roaring Fork 2 (Thursday)
M-CHS 18, Salida 3 (Friday)
M-CHS 12, GJ Central 1 (Saturday)
Three mercy-rule victories over the weekend in Carbondale required the Panthers to play only 14 combined innings to dispatch the host Rams, Spartans and Warriors, improving their record to 7-4 ahead of a Tuesday home clash at 3 p.m. against Durango at McAndrew Field.
Junior Easton Pixler compiled a mammoth weekend, clobbering three home runs and driving in nine runs across the three-game set, while senior Cory Carver blasted two home runs and drove in 12 runs during the offensive outburst. Senior Jaris McDonald added eight RBIs as the offense piled up 46 hits to secure another Trent Goscha Invitational title.
While the offense stole the show, the pitching and defense quietly took care of business. Junior Tegan Mestas struck out four while notching a complete game against Roaring Fork, senior Kallan Wirth allowed just two hits while going the distance against Salida, and McDonald struck out nine Warriors in his complete-game performance on Saturday.
The Panthers (Class 4A No. 10) face the Demons on Tuesday afternoon in a matchup of 7-4 teams. Durango is ranked No. 11 in Class 5A after a doubleheader sweep of Grand Junction over the weekend.
Dolores 24, Nucla 6 (Tuesday)
The Bears earned their first win of the season in emphatic fashion, pounding out 18 hits against the host Mustangs. Dolores (1-5) had six players record multi-hit games, highlighted by junior Declan Warren’s four-RBI day that included a home run.
Junior Levi Hampton, sophomore Branson Lee and junior Hayden Lancaster added three hits apiece and combined for eight RBIs, while senior Tristan Adie drove in four runs. Dolores batted around in the first and fifth innings, building a 9-0 lead before Nucla recorded an at-bat.
Hampton struck out eight to keep any Mustangs comeback hopes at bay.
The Bears head to Dove Creek on Tuesday, April 7, for a doubleheader with the Bulldogs beginning at 2 p.m. at the Soper Sports Complex.
Monticello 7, Dove Creek 1 (Friday)
Monticello 10, Dove Creek 7 (Friday)
The Dove Bulldogs battled back from deficits all afternoon against their Border War rivals, rallying from a 3-0 deficit and closing within 7-6 entering the final two innings. Monticello, however, held on in the second game of the twin bill to sweep Dove Creek (1-5).
Junior Clayton Smith drove in two runs, and freshman Lochlan Stowe scored twice to spark the comeback effort. Dove Creek drew eight walks, with junior Cael Beanland collecting three hits across the doubleheader.
Senior Trevan Ivie struck out 10 Buckaroos in the opener, adding to Beanland’s nine strikeouts in the nightcap.
