BAYFIELD – The Bayfield High School boys baseball team knew that last month’s 14-4 loss to Alamosa in Brush was not its best performance. The bats weren’t there, the pitching rotation still had not found its stride and a number of the varsity players were at prom that weekend.
Bayfield put together a 24-run performance in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep over the Mean Moose at BHS to lock up the Class 3A Intermountain League title, and that was precisely the performance that the Wolverines were looking for. BHS won Game 1, 9-2, and run-ruled the Mean Moose in a five-inning Game 2, 15-5.
In Game 2, Bayfield (12-7, 8-0 IML) had Max McGheyey as the starter, but five runs crossed the plate in the second inning and the Wolverines lost an early 4-0 lead. BHS head coach Bert Miller turned to fellow senior Andrew Morgan, who came on in relief of McGheyey and had one of his best outings of the year, as he went 3 2/3 innings, gave up one hit, zero runs, walked four and struck out one to get the win.
“I was initially supposed to start the second game, so when I didn’t, I was kind of sad, but I knew I had to help the team,” Morgan said. “When coach told me that I was going in, it turned to joy and I got all happy about it, and just went in there and did my job. ... We knew we were going to win today, and knew that it’d be different game from earlier this year and even last year. I was happy that I had good command and just was locked in, and my teammates did the rest.”
Miller said that Morgan was huge in relief for Bayfield.
“Andrew always throws the ball well, he throws strikes and gives you a chance to win the ball game all the time,” Miller said. “He’s a great part of this team. I flipped flopped with Max and Andrew before the game. They are both starters. After today’s performance, Andrew might get the start next week. They get rewarded with what they do, it all works out. Rhett came into Game 1 in relief and got those two big strikeouts with the bases loaded, I mean, we’re deep in pitching.”
The offense was easy to spot, as the Wolverines put up four in the first inning of both games, and in Game 2, Ethan Morris delivered a bases-clearing two-run RBI double, and would advance to third base on a throwing error after the cutoff throw sailed all the way to the backstop.
It wasn’t the only offense during the second game, as the Wolverines launched three home-runs, including a towering three-run home run from senior Hayden Farmer that easily cleared the left-field fence. McGheyey and Hub Brandon hit back-to-back jacks in the bottom of the fourth inning. In the fifth, Bayfield drove home four runs, including the game-winning 3-run RBI triple from Dillon Vroman to close out the game.
“As far as our offensive breakout, these last six games, we’ve been crushing the ball,” Miller said. “It was great to see again, in the second game, we had those big-time homers to give us the edge for good, and from there, it was all about holding onto that lead.”
In Game 1, senior Hayden Farmer threw a gem on the mound, as he got the win in a six-inning outing and struck out 12, while he also gave up three hits, one earned run and walked four batters. He received help when his team was up to bat, as Jake Brandon went 2-for-4 and drove in two on a double, and also scored twice.
Rhett Hoover went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Hayden Farmer went 1-for-1 with a double that drove in two runs, was walked three times and scored twice. Despite not getting a hit in Game 1, McGheyey still delivered two RBIs after he grounded out and recorded his second when he was walked with the bases loaded.
Alamosa (10-8, 6-2 IML) did not record an extra base hit in the second game. Mean Moose head coach Bryce Strecker thought that his side battled hard but also thought that Bayfield’s pitchers were tough to beat.
“I think we’re still in a good spot overall,” Strecker said. “We didn’t get the clutch hits when we needed ‘em, and they did. I thought our pitchers competed very well, our defense competed, so we’re in a good spot and will get back to work on Monday.
Bayfield will look to continue its eight-game winning streak against La Plata County rivals Durango at 3 p.m. Tuesday at BHS after last week’s game was postponed due to weather.
Miller is looking for a chance to go undefeated in league play next weekend, but said Saturday was a big first step.
“It’s big for us going forward and we want to have a chance for perfection next week,” Miller said. “They beat us last time, but they overlooked us coming into today. They didn’t come out with their ace like I thought they would to start, and we took advantage of it. They overlooked us, and it came back to nip them in the bud.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
