The Dove Creek Bulldogs nearly did it again.
Last year, the Bulldogs entered the Class 1A state tournament as a six seed with a sub .500 record, and they finished as champions.
Dove Creek’s 2016 season played out eerily similar – for a while.
The Bulldogs went into the Class 1A District 1 Tournament needing to win out to make the big dance. And they thumped Cotopaxi 18-3 and then ten-run ruled Nucla 14-4 to claim the district title and enter the state tourney as the eight seed.
From there, they upset the No. 1 seeded Granada Bobcats, whom they defeated in last year’s title game, 5-1.
The Bulldogs leaned on pitcher Jordan Ernst in the state opener, and he went 6 1/3 innings with ten strike outs, allowing just four hits and one unearned run.
Sophomore Derek Kibel provided much of the offense, finishing the day 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
However, the Bulldogs’ quest for a second consecutive state championship was put to bed on Saturday in their semifinal contest against the No. 4 seeded Fleming Wildcats.
Kyle Schultz and Colin Hobbs pitched valiantly for the Bulldogs, allowing just six combined hits and four total runs.
But junior Jaxon King was lights out on the bump for the Wildcats, pitching a complete game, striking out nine and allowing just two Bulldog hits to help Fleming advance with a 4-1 victory.