After going down a run in the fifth inning, the Bayfield Wolverines wasted no time retaking a lead, this time for good.
Bayfield bounced back from an eight-inning, 6-3 loss to New Mexico’s Belen in Thursday’s season opener with an 8-4 victory against Moriarty (2-2), another New Mexico opponent, in the consolation bracket of Farmington High School’s invitational tournament Friday at Ricketts Park.
“We played a bit better (Friday). We have a long way to go, but as long as we keep moving in the right direction it will lead to a good season,” BHS head coach Jonathon Qualls said.
The teams were tied at 1 after the first inning, and Bayfield took a 3-2 lead after three. But the Pintos put two runs on the board in the top of the fifth before Bayfield came through with four runs in the bottom half to establish a 7-4 lead it would hold before tacking on another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.
Austin Bushnell was 1-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Logan Sabinski had a big day, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Taed Heydinger also drove in two runs while going 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks.
“Bushnell had a pretty good game in his first varsity start,” Qualls said. “Sabinski is a solid played, and we expect him to contribute to this lineup on a daily basis.”
Noah Loutherback also drove in a run for the Wolverines (1-1) while going 1-for-2 at the plate with two walks.
Bayfield is using wood bats at the tournament. New Mexico high school teams use wood instead of aluminum.
The Wolverines had a good day running the bases. Brody McGhehey stole three of the five bags Bayfield claimed in the win.
Defensively, Bayfield committed three errors, but strong pitching from senior Zane Phelps and freshman Hayden Farmer limited the damage.
Phelps pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and four runs – two earned – while striking out three and walking three. Farmer closed the game and allowed one hit and struck out one.
“Zane threw well, but he will have better days,” Qualls said. “He did his job keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win it.”
Bayfield will wrap up the tournament with an 11:30 a.m. Saturday game against Uintah of Vernal, Utah. The game will be played at Ricketts Park.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
