An all-Colorado final in the Piedra Vista Tournament on Saturday in Farmington went against the Durango High School baseball team.
Southwestern League rival Fruita Monument continued its undefeated start to the season, besting the Demons 11-8 in a nonconference game at Ricketts Park in Farmington.
The Wildcats scored five runs – four unearned – in the bottom of the second inning. They led 7-0 after three innings, which chased DHS starter Lawrence Mayberry.
“It was really the bottom of the second inning that really hurt us,” DHS head coach Ron Baker said. “Really bad sun out there (Saturday) – tough catches. Normally we make them.”
Durango’s steady offense nearly pulled off the comeback in the later innings. DHS (3-3) scored two runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings before its at-bats ran out.
Casey Dunlap led the Demons with a double and two runs batted in. Zac Gasaway hit a triple with one RBI, and Dayne Rowley had a double with an RBI.
“The hits were spread out a little bit today,” Baker said. “We hit well enough.”
The Demons now enter their spring break with a second-place tournament finish and an improving roster. They’ll open their home season against Denver North on March 31.
“After our results last weekend, I feel like this was a definite improvement – 1,000 percent better than last weekend,” Baker said. “Overall, we’ve got to be pleased with where we are right now. We showed we can compete with really good teams and can hit the ball. I think we’re gonna be alright.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
