Mentioned in the same breath as perennial powerhouse Eaton as one of the elite 3A baseball teams in Colorado, Bayfield began a long-anticipated 2016 going 1-for-3 at last weekend's Scorpion Invitational in Farmington.
BHS fell in extra innings to New Mexico 5A qualifiers Belen on Day 1 of the event Thursday. Senior Brody McGhehey (1.2 IP) was the unfortunate pitcher tagged with the loss in an eight-inning, 6-3 defeat beginning the eight-team event Thursday afternoon. Belen manufactured five runs in the bonus frame, then put down a Wolverine uprising in the home half which produced a promising two.
The boys did scrap for an 8-4 win over Moriarty, N.M., on Day 2 so as not to leave Ricketts Park empty-handed.
BHS scored four runs in the home half of the fifth against Moriarity, then added one more in the bottom of the sixth before freshman Hayden Farmer blanked Moriarity in the top of the seventh to finish off the victory for senior starter Zane Phelps (W; 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 3 BB).
Senior newcomer Logan Sabinski went 3-4 with the bat, drove in two runs and scored two himself. Senior Taed Heydinger walked twice in officially going 1-2 and knocked in two. Senior Noah Loutherback went 1-2 with two walks and an RBI, and Austin Bushnell went 1-4 with a run and two RBI.
Phelps had two RBIs, plating Heydinger twice, and scratched out one of Bayfield's eighth-inning runs hustling home on a passed ball. Senior Kelton McCoy received a no-decision after tossing the first six innings and leaving with his side down 1-0 before Heydinger scored in the home half of the sixth.
On Saturday, BHS played 4A Uintah, Utah. They proved a worthy opponent for the Wolverines on Day 3, winning the invitational's fifth-place game 5-0.
Heydinger took a complete-game loss on the mound, despite managing to hold the Utes to just a run through the first five innings. He struck out two and walked none.
Junior Fred Edwards and senior Austin Baughman each went 2-for-3 in defeat, and McCoy 1-for-3. McGhehey was 0-1 but drew two walks, and Heydinger was 0-3 with a walk. Sabinski, Loutherback and Phelps each went hitless in three at-bats.
Piedra Vista High School won the tournament against Belen, 13-4.
Up next for Bayfield will be a March 24 trip to Colorado Springs St. Mary's, followed by road action on the 25th versus Lamar and Manitou Springs at MSHS.
CHSAANOW.COM PRESEASON CLASS 3A POLL
Poll issued March 7.
1. Eaton, 2. BAYFIELD, 3. Brush, 4. Greeley University, 5. Lamar, 6. Gunnison, 7. La Junta, 8. Gilcrest Valley, 9. Arvada Faith Christian, 10. Englewood Kent Denver. (Others receiving votes: Lafayette Peak to Peak, Sterling, Olathe, Manitou Springs, Denver Bishop Machebeuf, Colorado Springs St. Mary's, Trinidad, Alamosa.)
