Dolores baseball team goes 0-3 at Montezuma-Cortez Invitational
By Bobby Abplanalp
Journal Sports Editor
Dolores pitcher Cody Carroll gave up seven hits in a 6-4, five inning loss at Montezuma-Cortez High School last Friday.
It was the Bears second game of the three-day M-CHS Invitational. Dolores (0-4) lost 7-6 last Thursday to Monticello (Utah) and fell 10-6 to rival Dove Creek last Saturday.
Major Lackey hit a major league two-run RBI-single in the bottom of the fourth inning for host M-CHS (3-0). That was followed up with a one-run RBI-single by Gerardo Martinez, as part of a four-run fourth for the Panthers.
With 4A M-CHS leading 6-1 going into the top of the fifth, it appeared the game was all but over.
The 2A Bears roared back, though.
After singles by Ethen Upton and Carroll to start the inning, Montezuma-Cortez transfer Chaz Thompson blasted a shot to the left center wall. Thompson's RBI-triple sent Upton and Carroll home to cut the Panthers lead to 6-3.
M-CHS starter Tallon Ralstin was relieved after four innings with seven Ks.
Martinez came in to close and struck out Dolores catcher Kolton Shull. Tyler Weir then grounded out to first to score Thomspon for an RBI and it was now only 6-4.
Ultimately, Martinez did his job and struck out Bears' second baseman Kellen Gatzke to earn the save.
Martinez also hit 2-of-3 with an RBI.
Carroll hit 2-for-3 for Dolores and Thompson recorded three RBIs to go with his triple.
Against Dove Creek, the Bulldogs took advantage Bears starting pitcher Weir. He walked five Dove Creek batters in the first inning, which the Bulldogs converted into three runs. Weir was relieved after 1/3 of an inning. Thompson pitched the rest of the game and got the Bears out of the top of the first down 3-0.
Weir hit an RBI-single in the bottom half to get Dolores on the board down 3-1. But the Bears just couldn't stop the Bulldogs.
Dove Creek scored three runs in the second inning and tacked on four more in the fourth. The Bulldogs were able to use three pitchers in the game, due to having a large lead on the scoreboard.
Tyler Ebberts led Dove Creek on offense, hitting 3-of-4 with an RBI. Senior first baseman Klancey Krafka batted 2-for-3.
Weir paced Dolores, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Dolores is in New Mexico for the Piedra Vista High School tourney in Farmington with games today and Saturday.
bobbya@cortezjournal.com.