A blowout win and a come-from-behind thriller.
The Four Corners Classic at McAndrew Field had it all for baseball fans.
Host Montezuma-Cortez High School dismantled the Aztec (N.M.) junior varsity, 25-1, Friday. On Saturday morning, the Panthers met regional nemesis San Juan. The 2A Broncos from Blanding, Utah, have had the Panthers number lately.
The past two years Ive playing varsity baseball, theyve beat us, Panthers shortstop Devin Fox said.
It looked like San Juan would win again, as M-CHS trailed 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Center fielder Tam Phan sparked some hope in the Panthers dugout with a RBI-single that sent one home. Broncos starting pitcher Logan Meyer went six and 2/3, but the Panthers wore him down. M-CHS had the bases loaded when San Juan subbed in closer Justin Nielson. Senior captain Fox stepped to the plate for a chance to win the game.
I watched him when he was warming up, that I could time him up, Fox said about Nielson.
Fox and Nielson battled to a 2-2 count with two foul balls. After another ball, the count was full, two outs and M-CHS trailed by one.
The pitch, the swing of the bat ballgame.
Foxs single sailed perfectly just over the infield into right, as two runners came home to give M-CHS the win, 8-7. Fox was mobbed by his teammates at first base.
It was a pretty weird situation, but I knew I could do it, Fox said. Its all on my team right here. If they werent out there hitting, that hit wouldnt have mattered. It was all on my team. I got it to full-count. I saw a pitch I liked and timed it up.
Fox had three RBIs in the win. Third baseman Gerardo Martinez started the Panthers scoring in the second inning, blasting a two-run, home run. Dakota Goosen belted an RBI-triple in the third, but scored off a San Juan fielding error.
Last year, we were at a point where we werent winning the close games, Panthers coach Sam Perry said. I think that were starting to make that jump to win those types (of games). Its a mental aspect of the game. We had our leader at the plate when the game was on the line and he did what leaders do, and thats win baseball games. He came through with the big hit to win the game. I just couldnt be more excited for our guys. Its just a happy moment for us.
M-CHS was setup in the Four Corners Classic championship against fellow 2-0 tourney team Miyamura, of Gallup, N.M. But in baseball, sometimes emotions can get the best of a team.
The Panthers started slow and trailed early. Then, two costly errors in the fifth inning propelled the visiting Patriots to a big lead they did not relinquish. M-CHS lost, 10-4.
We came off an emotional win against San Juan. You lose focus mentally, therefore, you dont play physically as well on the field. Thats pretty much what happened today, Perry said. I was proud of the way we competed at the plate. But any time you give a good team seven or eight more outs, then youre not going to come out as a winner.
The Panthers (5-2) had to battle from behind early. Starting pitcher Goosen gave up two Patriots hits and runs in the first inning. Miyamura later built a 6-0 lead, as M-CHS had no answer for Patriots starting pitcher Zach Shank.
The bats got going in the bottom of the fourth for M-CHS. The first four up hit singles, including RBI hits by Manuel Hernandez and Major Lackey to make it 6-2. It was just 6-4 after Martinez hit a sacrifice-fly and Lackey scored off a fielding error. The Panthers had momentum. Especially, after Goosen struck out two of the first three Miyamura batters in the top of the fifth. Brandon Deweese hit a grounder to Fox, but his throw to first sailed wide and Deweese was safe. Now with two on, Narciso Baca hit one on the ground to Hernandez. But the second basemans throw to first was errant, allowing Baca to be safe. Now with the bases loaded, Aaron Saucedo made the Panthers pay with a bases clearing, RBI-triple to give the Patriots a 9-4 lead. Miyamura tacked on one more in the inning, resulting in the final margin.
Phan led the Panthers with two hits in the game. Goosen took the loss on the mound.
I am very pleased with the way we pitched, Perry said. Weve had a good run. Were 5-2 and now. Im looking forward to league play and seeing what we can do competing in league.
Shank won on the mound for the Patriots.
M-CHS will begin 5A/4A Southwestern League play Friday and Saturday at Grand Junction Central and Fruita Monument at 4 and 1:30 p.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.
