Hotchkiss-based North Fork, as well as Gunnison each found out over the weekend how talented Bayfield Baseball is.
BHS, however, learned Greeley University is, well … also pretty solid.
Unfortunately, a five-inning, 12-1 loss to Class 3A’s second-ranked University Bulldogs on Friday cost the Wolverines a chance to finish the Delta-hosted 2023 Luke Oeltjenbruns Memorial Tournament unbeaten. Otherwise, Bayfield took care of business, mercy-ruling both NFHS’ Miners 12-1 in five (thanks to an eight-run outburst in the fifth) on Friday afternoon, and GHS’ Cowboys 13-0 on Saturday.
Senior Caden Wood logged a complete-game win against Gunnison, reportedly allowing just one hit and walking two batters while striking out five. He also went 3-for-4 with a double in his own support, scoring one run and plating two. Senior Nic Twedt doubled, tripled, and drew two walks in finishing 2-2 with three runs scored and two batted in. Senior Lance Mazur was 1-2 with a sacrifice fly, two runs and as many RBIs. Sophomore Micah Cornelia went 2-2 with a run and three RBIs.
Against North Fork, senior Noah Chamblee led the way offensively with a 2-for-3, one-run, four-RBI effort. Mazur went 2-4 with a double, a run and three batted in. The ever-patient Twedt finished 0-1 with three walks, three runs and one batted in. Wood drew two walks and ended up 1-1 with three runs scored. Senior Jackson Queen (1-3, BB, R) earned the win on the mound, firing a complete-game two-hitter including one walk and five strikeouts.
Mazur, unluckily, took the loss against University, and was pulled off the hill during UHS’ game-breaking seven-run fourth. His final reported line showed him completing four innings and allowing just two hits, but also seven runs (four earned) plus as many walks as strikeouts (five).
Sophomore Austin Wilmer (3 H, 3 ER, BB, K), junior Cody Ross (0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K) and sophomore Cole Wagner (2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) also saw action against the vaunted Bulldogs.
Offensively, Chamblee went a reported 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and also reached via fielder’s choice. Scoring BHS’ only run via the big fellow’s bat was Wood (0-1, BB, FC). Twedt (0-1) drew two walks in three plate appearances. Junior Dante Candelaria (0-2) reached once via fielder’s choice.
The ’Dogs ended up winning all three of their Oeltjenbruns outings, giving the Patriot Leaguers a perfect 3-0 start to their season. University next has a slated trip on Wednesday to Greg Brock Field – named for the former Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers first baseman – in Loveland to face 4A Longs Peak member Mountain View.
Dipping to 3-1 overall, the Wolverines were to next have traveled to 4A Aztec, New Mexico, on Tuesday. The interstate action against the Tigers (6-4), coming off a sixth-place 1-2 showing at Farmington’s three-day Scorpion Invitational, however, was canceled due to weather and field conditions. No rescheduled date had been announced at press time.
