After a bit of a slow start, the Panthers finished strong Tuesday at McAndrew Field.
Montezuma-Cortez High School was held scoreless in the first inning at home versus New Mexico foe Shiprock.
In the second, the Panthers awoke. They awoke to the tune of eight runs, as M-CHS punished Chieftains pitchers Lance Litson and Abraham Hobson.
The Panthers pitchers only gave up three hits on the way to a 14-0, shutout win in five innings.
Im glad to see us play a full game from top to bottom, M-CHS coach Sam Perry said. We recommitted ourselves to the right attitude, the right approach and the right intensity in our games. Thats whats going to allow us to play our best.
Devin Fox started and earned the win, only giving up one hit in two innings. Manuel Hernandez went two innings in relief and gave up two hits. Closer Tallon Ralstin got the save getting out the top of the order, including two strikeouts.
Its pretty fun, Ralstin, a junior, said about closing. I pitched this last weekend and a couple other times. Its fun. I love doing it. Its tough coming from catcher, but its fun.
M-CHS (6-4, 0-2 5A/4A Southwestern League) concluded nonconference play with the victory and has now won more games than all of last season.
We may not be the most talented team, but were going to be the hardest working team and the scrappiest team in our league, Perry said. That will be our focus from here until the end of the year. Were going to give everybody our best from here on out.
Panthers designated hitter Soren Jorgensen started the scoring with a RBI-single that sent home Major Lackey and Gerardo Martinez. Randy Haley made it 3-0 Panthers with sacrifice-fly RBI. Three batters later, Fox belted a one run, RBI-single. Hernandez, Lackey and Martinez all recorded RBI-walks and M-CHS scored one more on an error for an 8-0 lead going in to the third.
The Panthers scored twice in the bottom of the third and four times in the bottom of the fourth inning for the final margin. It is the first shutout win of the season for M-CHS.
I was very pleased to be able to play everybody on our varsity roster today, Perry said. We came out and took care of business. We want to keep this momentum through the weekend.
Jorgensen hit 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Ralstin was 2-for-4 at the plate with a RBI.
Yesterday, we had a scrimmage practice. We were getting pretty rowdy, getting intense, you know. I think that really helped us, Ralstin said. We got to stay up the whole entire game. Not just the beginning when were winning. I think that really helped out today.
Games continue at McAndrew Field for the Panthers against SWL foes Montrose and Grand Junction on Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m. and 11 a.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.