Montezuma-Cortez freshman Presley Frost pitched a no-hit shutout in a 13-0 win over the Durango Demons on Tuesday.
The Demons had a glimmer of hope in the first inning after loading the bases by reaching on two walks and an error. But Frost buckled down to get out of the jam unscathed and held Durango hitless for the next four innings to pick up her second win of the year.
Frost pitched five hitless innings and allowed 4 walks while striking out six.
And after scoring 11 runs in their last two games combined, the Lady Panthers erupted for 13 against the rival Demons.
“We just had to readjust,” explained head coach Angelo Topaha. “Homecoming kind of shook everything up. We’re just coming back and getting back in the focused mode and playing ball.”
Gabby Begay drove in Alyssa Cornett in the first inning for M-CHS’ first run. And then with the bases loaded, Durango catcher Joie Rayburn attempted to pick off Payton Keith at first, allowing Frost to sneak home to go up 2-0.
The Lady Panthers utilized their speed throughout the contest. And in the second inning, it led to three runs.
Trinity McCain reached base after being hit by a pitch, and then Morgan Short bunted safely moving McCain to third. McCain would then score on a bunt by Alyssa Cornett, with Short going from first to third.
Short later scored standing up when Rayburn tried to catch Cornett stealing at second.
Short scored from third in the same manner the following inning when Rayburn threw down to second with Cornett swiping another bag.
“We work on that,” Topaha said. “Once the runner steals then that’s a free base to home plate. That’s just a no brainer. We’ve got the speed to do it, we’ve just got to give the girls a chance to do it.”
M-CHS led 7-0 after three, and they put together a rally in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 13-0. Then Frost shut the door in the top of the fifth, sending the Durango hitters down in order to win by run rule.
M-CHS and Durango are now both 3-6 on the season, and the Lady Panthers next host Meeker (3-5) for a Western Slope League double header on Saturday.
