Over the course of its season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School baseball team has flashed immense potential but struggled to maintain consistency.
That pattern continued last weekend when the Panthers dominated Ignacio throughout a 14-0 road victory on April 26 before losing a doubleheader to Alamosa on April 28.
Against Ignacio, M-CHS led from start to finish as the Panthers scored six runs in the first inning, seven runs in the second inning and one run in the third inning of a game that was called after five innings due to Colorado’s 10-run mercy rule.
Isiah Pena played a key role for M-CHS at the plate as the junior had two hits in four at-bats and drove in two runs. Kolby Waltman also stepped up for the Panthers as the senior came through with one hit, two walks and two RBIs.
Other offensive contributors for M-CHS included Cutter Mathews, who smashed two doubles in two at-bats and drove in one run, Jasen Engel, who registered a double and an RBI, and Brandon McMillian, who drove in one run.
Engel started on the mound for M-CHS and pitched five scoreless innings without allowing a hit. The Panthers’ senior ace struck out eight batters and did not allow a walk in what amounted to a perfect game on the mound.
Two days after defeating Ignacio, the Panthers traveled to Alamosa for a doubleheader and lost the opening game, 5-3.
The contest began on a positive note for the Panthers, who scored two runs in the top of the first inning and led 2-1 after one inning of play. Three second inning runs by Alamosa turned the tide however, and the Panthers were unable to recover.
Engel started on the mound for M-CHS and allowed three earned runs over six innings of work while striking out nine batters. The Panthers were led at the plate by sophomore Travis Beeson, who smashed a two-run double in his first of three at bats.
M-CHS struggled in the second game of the doubleheader as Alamosa scored 17 runs over the game’s first two innings and coasted to a 21-2 victory.
Alamosa’s offense scored all but one of its runs off Mathews, who pitched the game’s first three innings. M-CHS fielders struggled throughout the contest while committing a season-high eight errors over the course of the game.
Now 3-10 overall and 1-7 in the Intermountain League, M-CHS will look to close out its regular season on a positive note when it takes to the road for a doubleheader against Centauri on May 2.