Arkansas Valley Round Up by Randy Robinson

Arkansas Valley Round Up by Randy Robinson

A week’s worth of sports is in the books in the Arkansas Valley, a couple head to heads in volleyball highlighted the week last week. And an upset in 3A softball capped it off. Weekly we’ll look back at the previous week. We’ll highlight some players and games to watch for this week. With that lets get started…

To start the week let’s review what happened in softball action. On Tuesday the La Junta Lady Tigers (4-2) headed up Highway 71 to take on the Limon Badgers (0-7). The Tigers got out to an early lead before a late inning rally by the Badgers. With the score 7-6 in favor of La Junta the Tigers plated nine in the top of the 5^th and shut down the Badgers offense to take the win 17-6. Then on Thursday it was La Junta’s first chance to host at Tippy Martinez Field, where the Burlington Cougars came to town. It was all La Junta from the get-go. The Lady Tigers plated five runs in the first, then added another four in the second. Burlington would push two across in the 5^th, but the Lady Tigers finished it off with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take the win 12-2.

The Rocky Ford Lady Meloneers didn’t take the field until Saturday as they traveled to Gunnison for games against #4 Strasburg and #6 Gunnison. In the morning Rocky Ford got going early against Strasburg with one run in the 1^st. Nobody would score again until the 3^rd when Strasburg would take the lead with three runs across the plate. The Meloneer offense came alive in the 4^th with seven runs. A late push by Strasburg in the final two innings wasn’t enough as Rocky Ford upset the Indians 10-8. The Lady Meloneers kept the bats alive against Gunnison plating eight in the 1^st inning. They would keep the lead until the 4^th inning where Gunnison would send five across to tie the game at 10 a piece. With three runs scored the next two innings to Rocky Ford’s one Gunnison took the win 13-11.

Volleyball action was center stage on Tuesday as four matchups took place, including a Ark Valley head to head. In Tuesday’s action three sweeps happened with the Fowler Lady Grizzlies handling Manitou Springs (25-12, 25-14, 25-20), McClave took down Las Animas (25-14, 25-10, 25-19) and Swink taking care of Walsenburg (25-19, 25-11, 25-23). The lone Ark Valley head to head saw rivals Crowley County and Rocky Ford go at it. The Chargers took a back and forth first set, as well as set two, The Meloneers stormed back for a set three win before the Chargers closed the door in set four. Crowley County took the rivalry win 3-1 (26-24, 25-15, 16-25, 25-15).

Thursday saw a plethora of volleyball action, everything from a sweep to a five set comeback. Cheraw had to come back against Wiley after the Panthers took the first two set of the match. Cheraw stormed back to take the final three sets to ultimately win 3-2 (21-25, 14-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-9). Swink took a trip to near the Kansas line to take on league foe Holly, with the Lions coming out on top with a sweep 3-0 (25-7, 25-22, 25-15).

Friday saw more volleyball action as Manzanola traveled down to Sierra Grande. The Bobcats started off strong with a set one win, the Panthers protected home court as they took the next three sets and the win 3-1 (15-25, 25-13, 25-15, 25-18).

Tournament play highlighted the Saturday slate of volleyball as both Crowley County and Manzanola traveled to the Walsenburg Tournament. Pool play saw the Bobcats going 0-2, with losses to Walsenburg and Ellicott. Crowley County would go 1-1 in pool play with a loss against Trinidad and a win against Monte Vista. In the placing matches Manzanola would fall to Monte Vista and finish 6^th, while Crowley County would defeat Ellicott and take 3^rd. Other volleyball action saw Swink defeat Sanford 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21), Calhan defeated Las Animas 3-1 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22) and Cheraw defeating Prairie in three straight (25-16, 25-20, 25-21).

Friday Night Lights (as well as Thursday Night Lights, and Saturday Afternoon Action) returned for the Arkansas Valley as we started Thursday night with the Rocky Ford Meloneers welcoming in the Monte Vista Pirates to Melon Field. A young Meloneer team took the field and Monte Vista took the win 50-0 Thursday night.

Friday saw two Arkansas Valley teams on the road as La Junta traveled to 1A Burlington and took the win in dominating fashion 42-0. Sierra Grande walked all over Manzanola 62-6 in 6-man action.

Saturday saw two of Friday night’s postponements finish their games. In an old fashioned Arkansas Valley rivalry we needed overtime to decide it as Swink took down Fowler 32-26, with an interception by Jackson Tomky to finish it off. Las Animas hosting Calhan also saw weather play a factor as they were postponed in the second quarter, at the postponement it was 24-16 in favor of Calhan, Las Animas would not score again as the Bulldogs took the win 60-16. Cheraw was one of our two scheduled games for Saturday as they hosted Prairie in a shootout the Mustangs would upend the Wolverines 20-18. Crowley County had the night cap as they headed to McClave for an 8-man clash. The teams traded touchdowns to begin then it was all Cardinals from there as McClave came away with the win 28-6.

LOOK AHEAD

GAMES TO WATCH

VOLLEYBALL:

-Tuesday August 29: Holly hosts Las Animas

-Tuesday August 29: Crowley County hosts Swink

-Thursday August 31: Las Animas hosts Swink

-Thursday August 31: Holly hosts Rocky Ford

SOFTBALL

-Tuesday August 29: Rocky Ford hosts Lamar

-Saturday September 2: Lamar hosts La Junta

FOOTBALL

-Friday September 1: Sanford hosts Swink