While the Montezuma-Cortez High School baseball team’s pitching was decent over the weekend, the Panthers bats struggled to catch fire.
As a result, M-CHS’s two-game slate versus league foes ended with consecutive losses and plenty of frustration.
Panthers offense struggles
Kicking off the weekend at home against Fruita-Monument High School on April 11, the Panthers struggled to score, falling 7-1.
Serving as a high point for the Panthers was senior pitcher Konnar McGee, who, pitching with the consistency for which he has become known, remained on the mound for four innings and allowed only four earned runs.
“(McGee) did very well,” said Panthers manager Mathew Betts. “He went out, he pitched, and he hit his spots.”
A tough third inning doomed the Panthers however, as Fruita scored three runs in the frame to pull ahead 6-1 and all but put the game out of reach.
Driving in the lone run for the Panthers was Andrew Laymon, whose RBI single scored Randy Haley in the second inning.
“We would get runners on and into scoring position,” said Betts, discussing the Panthers’ offensive performance. “We just couldn’t finish it.”
Even with the Panthers’ seven run loss however, Betts was not altogether displeased.
“(Fruita) never had a big inning,” he said. “I thought our guys played all seven innings really well.”
Panthers blasted by Montrose
Things didn’t get easier for the Panthers on April 12 as M-CHS was demolished by Montrose, 15-3.
Falling victim to a Montrose lineup stocked with impressive hitters was Panthers’ starting pitcher Dayne Black, who allowed ten runs over two and two thirds innings.
Although Panthers’ relief pitcher Ian Roberson faired slightly better after entering the game in the third inning, the Montrose offense did not let up significantly as it scored five runs over the final three and one third innings.
While Panthers’ pitchers were getting hammered, the team’s bats struggled, scoring only three runs on RBI singles by Haley, McGee and Tarin Lanier.
“(Montrose) is a tough team,” said Betts. “They threw a good pitcher at us and started to get a bunch of runs against us. For us to get three runs across, I thought we did well.”
With their record now at 5-9-1 on the season, the Panthers will next play a home matchup with Bayfield on April 15.
