Durango High School’s softball team won its second consecutive game Saturday behind 14 hits. It was a strong way to pick up the first home win of the season for the Demons.
Durango (2-4) went down 2-0 in the top of the first inning but answered back with one run in the bottom of the second and four runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 advantage. After four more runs in the third, Durango had a 9-3 advantage it would hold onto to secure an 11-8 win against visiting Palisade (4-2).
“We built on our performance in Grand Junction on Thursday, meaning we were a little better defensively, better on the base paths and we hit the ball well,” DHS head coach John Bernazzani said. “We are really excited about the cohesiveness, the team attitude and everyone wanting and willing to pitch in to get a good win.”
Sydney Flores was the winning pitcher for Durango. She went five innings and gave up 13 hits. She allowed eight runs with seven earned with four strikeouts and two walks. Teagan Kehm came on to record a two-inning save. She allowed four hits but didn’t walk a batter and didn’t surrender a run. She struck out one.
“Sydney was strong in five innings, and Teagan shut them down those last two innings,” Bernazzani said.
Flores had three runs batted in at the plate Saturday. She went 2-for-4 with a double. Alaysia Kremer was 3-for-4 with three singles and three runs scored and two RBIs. Leadoff hitter Sylvia Reyes went 2-for-4 with a double, a single and a walk. She drove in one run and scored once.
Meah Mortecai also had an RBI, as she went 1-for-3 at the plate and scored twice. Kehm went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Mia Baguskas also had one RBI on a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
Bernazzani was pleased with his hitters’ patience at the plate and for finding ways to get on base.
“We did a great job of hitting behind runners,” Bernazzani said. “Palisade made a few defensive miscues, but we hit the ball and had a pep in our step ready to get after it. It makes a difference in getting a big win like that.”
Durango will travel to play one game at Alamosa at 4 p.m. Friday. Then its back home next Saturday for a league doubleheader against Grand Junction Central.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
