Log In


Reset Password
Sports Youth Sports Professional Sports More Sports College Sports High School Sports

Strike Zone pulls off upset of SoCal Renegades at Connie Mack World Series

Mayberry, McCoy part of special night

Behind a masterful pitching performance from Albuquerque’s Drew Gillespie, Strike Zone Baseball pulled off a huge upset win against the SoCal Renegades to open the 52nd Connie Mack World Series.

The Farmington-based Strike Zone Baseball squad, which features Bayfield’s Kelton McCoy and Durango’s Lawrence Mayberry, claimed an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Andrew Laymon of Farmington. Laymon’s single scored designated hitter Tresten Kennard, a regional pickup player from Lubbock, Texas. After five innings, Strike Zone led 2-0 after Gavin Martin crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

The SoCal Renegades answered back with a run of its own on a wild pitch by Gillespie, but he settled in once more and completed the game in style to secure the host team’s 2-1 victory at Ricketts Park in Farmington.

McCoy caught and hit fourth for Strike Zone, while Mayberry played shortstop and hit leadoff.

“There was no better strike to catch all night,” McCoy said of the game’s final pitch that resulted in a Gillespie strikeout. “It was Ricketts on opening night; so electric, and the fans were going nuts.”

McCoy, son of Derek and Loresa McCoy, predicted the upset win earlier in the week, saying it would be a perfect night to “slay the dragon” that is the 2012 CMWS champion Renegades.

He said Gillespie was in a zone all night and that his determination powered the team to victory.

“Even if he got down in the count, he was coming back with fastballs and painting the corners,” McCoy said of his pitcher. “His off-speed stuff was working. I could tell he was glad to be out there grinding.”

Strike Zone advanced in the winner’s bracket and will play the winner of Saturday’s matchup between Arecibo MFP (Puerto Rico) and the Enfuego Elite, the Northwest/Canada Region champion. Strike Zone’s next game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday.

SoCal dropped to the loser’s bracket and will face the loser of Saturday’s noon game at 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

The CMWS features 12 teams in a double-elimination bracket. The top high school players from around the country and Puerto Rico play all summer for a chance to compete at Ricketts Park in front of more than 6,000 fans and scouts from college and professional teams.

McCoy, who quarterbacked Bayfield High School to a state football championship in 2015, said Friday night’s win ranks among the biggest of his life.

“With more than 5,000 fans there the whole time that loud, it’s toward the top of the most exciting games I’ve played,” the soon-to-be University of New Mexico Lobos player said. “To beat a program like SoCal, it’s special. Hopefully we can keep it going and top it next championship Sunday.”

A host team has never won the CMWS.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com

Aug 2, 2016
Strike Zone Baseball silenced by Dallas Tigers at Connie Mack World Series
Aug 1, 2016
Strike Zone remains unbeaten at Connie Mack World Series
Jul 27, 2016
Colorado players strengthen Strike Zone Baseball for Connie Mack World Series


Reader Comments