Dove Creek baseball finally beat the cold weather and began its season in Farmington, N.M.
The Bulldogs played in the junior varsity, Piedra Vista High School tournament last Thursday through Saturday. Despite not having much playing time outside, Dove Creek swung the bat well in the tourney.
However, youth and inexperience plagued the Bulldogs, as they lost all three games. Dove Creek lost tough ones to New Mexicos Bloomfield, 14-9, and Miyamura (Gallup), 10-9, and were wore down 12-2 by the Ignacio varsity Saturday.
The big story with Miyamura, we left 15 men on bases. Thats an average of two per inning, Bulldogs coach Ken Soper said. We got them on, we got 11 hits, we just couldnt bring them around.
To make matters worse, starting pitcher Dalton Davis twisted his ankle and knee, and had to leave the game early. Relief pitcher Tyson Smith stepped to the mound for the first time in his career. But the Bulldogs battled to a seventh inning tie. Miyamura scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
The competition is always good down there at Farmington, Soper said. They always have been outside for a month and have several games under their belt. Thats why I always like getting games down south to start the year. We had chances to win the first two games. The errors killed us, but I expected that with all the new people.
The youth of Dove Creek caught up in the final game with San Juan Basin League foe Ignacio. The Bulldogs led 2-1 after one, but did not score again in the nonconference loss.
That third game, I was disappointed in. We just didnt do anything right, Soper said. I guess that inconsistency will be a while with the new kids. They (Ignacio) have a couple outstanding hitters. They never made an error the whole game and they are sound defensively.
Dove Creek will return home to face Utah border rival Monticello in a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m.