Throughout its most recent home game against Pagosa Springs on May 1, members of the Dolores High School baseball team enjoyed quality at-bats and smashed the ball to all areas of the field.
The Bears’ outstanding hitting wasn’t enough to secure a victory however, as Pagosa Springs’ offense scored 10 runs over the first two innings and walked away with a 15-11 victory. With the loss, Dolores concluded its season with an 8-11 record overall and a 4-4 record in its league.
Among the leaders for Dolores at the plate was senior Justin Purkat, who registered two hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Neil Farias also registered three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs for the Bears.
Other offensive contributors for Dolores included juniors Brennan Hite and Bryce Baumgarten, who both two hits and an RBI. Freshman Isiah Knox also found his way onto the stat sheet with two hits and an RBI, and Dakota Smith and Beck Anderson each had hits.
Cameron Chavez started the game on the mound for Dolores and yielded seven earned runs over one and one-third innings pitched. He was relieved by Smith, who pitched the final five and two-thirds innings and allowed three earned runs. Smith struck out nine batters in the game.
Pagosa Springs scored six runs in the top of the first inning and four runs in the top of the second inning to take a 10-0 lead. Dolores responded with a run in the bottom of the second inning and three runs in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 10-4.
After Pagosa Springs pulled ahead 14-4 in the top of the fourth inning, the Bears outscored their opponents 7-1 the rest of the way, but their comeback came up just short.
With its regular season now complete, Dolores will next play in the six-team Class 2A District 3/5 Tournament and will enter the tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Bears will play at home against Ignacio on May 10.
If the Bears defeat Ignacio, they will advance to the tournament semifinals against an opponent that has yet to be determined. The semifinals and finals will take place in Olathe on May 12.