CLASS 2A BASEBALL REPORT
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The homestretch of the 2A regular season are here, and the race to secure the last three regional hosting positions will come down to the wire. With the top eight seeds from the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index serving as hosts for the regional round, the top five look to be locked up, but seven teams have a legitimate shot at grabbing one of the remaining three. Our look at those teams uses the Wednesday morning release of the Seeding Index.
#6 LIMON (11-7)
The Badgers were as high as third recently, but a four-game losing streak has dropped them three spots. The latest losses came in a doubleheader sweep by #10 Peyton last Friday. Limon was held to three hits in a 4-2 defeat in the opener. Two of those were solo home runs by Camdyn Tacha. Game two saw the Badgers commit five errors and fall by a 6-5 count. Limon hosts #22 Wiggins on Thursday, and goes to #12 Wray on Saturday. The finale will be at #9 Lyons next Monday.
#7 ESTES PARK (14-5)
Estes Park has been rolling of late, winning three straight, and outscoring its opponents 49-7 in that streak. The Bobcats swept #30 Clear Creek (14-3, 19-1) last Friday, and then they took care of #44 Denver Academy 16-3 on Monday. Drake Kearney had a solo shot, two stolen bases, and three runs scored in that win on Monday. Grant Maxwell and Leo Balduzzi combined on a no-hitter. Balduzzi also racked up three stolen bases. Estes Park hosts #15 SkyView Academy on Friday, travels to #5 Dayspring Christian on Saturday, and closes at #31 Platte Canyon next Tuesday.
#8 LAS ANIMAS (16-4)
The Trojans have won their last two games in very different fashions. After collecting a 2-1 win over Limon last Tuesday, Las Animas drilled #29 Burlington 15-0 on Tuesday. The Trojans sent 17 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring 11 runs, and leaving the bases loaded. They would walk it off with three in the fourth for the run rule victory. Jesus Lopez had three hits and four RBI, backing Braydon Ortiz, who struck out seven while allowing two singles. At the dish, Ortiz smashed three doubles and drove in two. The Trojans have a huge doubleheader at #14 Fowler on Saturday before closing out at #20 Rye on Tuesday.
#9 LYONS (12-6)
Lyons has put itself in contention for a regional hosting spot by winning its last five in a row. Included in that run is an 8-6 victory over Estes Park last Tuesday, a forfeit win over Denver Academy on Thursday, and a 10-2 decision over #26 Highland last Saturday. The Lions racked up a dozen hits against Highland, three by Leo Irvin, who drove in six runs. Jake LaCrosse struck out 12 in 6.2 innings, and only allowed two unearned runs. Lyons hosts #18 Dawson School for two on Saturday, and then welcomes Limon to town on Monday for the regular season finale.
#10 PEYTON (14-5)
The Panthers got a strong performance from Bryce Love in the 4-2 win over Limon last Friday, as the senior threw a complete game, striking out 14 and not walking anyone. Zayden Ebbert had four hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs in the 6-5 win in game two. Ebbert also went the distance on the hill, striking out nine. Peyton’s 10-game winning streak came to an end on Monday, as Rye claimed a 12-2 win at home. The Panthers had three hits in that loss, two by Ebbert. All that’s left in the regular season for the Panthers is a twin bill at #41 Calhan on Saturday.
#11 CROWLEY COUNTY (12-7)
The Chargers dropped the opener of a doubleheader at Fowler last Saturday, 4-3, but then won game two by a 13-4 tally. They gave up three in the bottom of the seventh to lose game one in a walk-off by the Grizzlies. Crowley County would lead the nightcap 5-4 entering the seventh, where it put up an eight-spot. Landon Smith had three hits, including a double and a homer, and scored four runs in that win. Jack King also had three hits, and added four RBI. Crowley County made it two straight wins with a 10-0 decision over #25 Byers on Tuesday. Smith combined with Tritt Buhr on a two-hit shutout. The Chargers go to #43 Rocky Ford for two on Friday, and will host 3A #12 Sterling on Tuesday.
#12 WRAY (17-4)
After splitting a DH with Goodland (KS) on Thursday, the Eagles swept Decatur Community (NE) on Saturday. Wray won the opener on Thursday 15-0, but dropped game two by a 3-2 count. Grady Godsey connected on his third home run of the season in the game one victory. Brodie Riggleman drilled his third of the year in the loss. Wray rolled to wins of 13-1 and 19-5 on Saturday, with Hudson Rockwell and Gage Waitman both driving in three runs in the first win. Nine different players collected one hit apiece in game two. The Eagles host 3A #15 Brush on Thursday, and Limon on Saturday.
MileHigh Prep Report 