Knock, knock, elite eight.
Who’s there?
The Durango High School baseball team.
The Demons (12-10) rallied from an 8-3 deficit in the sixth inning to beat Niwot 14-9, then blanked Pueblo East 9-0 on Saturday to win the Class 4A District 4 tournament in Palisade.
The district champions are heading to the elite eight. It’s the first time the Demons have made it out of the postseason’s first round since 2001, DHS head coach Rob Coddington said.
“Feeling outstanding,” he said. “We’ve been kind of knocking on the door for the last couple years. Feels good to get in. Kids are hot right now.”
Ben Wiley threw the shutout against Pueblo East, going the distance and giving up four hits.
The Demons took a 9-0 lead by the fourth and rode it out until the end.
“Ben Wiley kept his head, pumped a bunch of strikes, and the defense played outstanding behind him,” Coddington said.
DHS committed no errors in Game 2.
From the plate, Casey Dunlap went 2-for-2 with a double, two runs and two runs batted in, Blake Dunlap hit a double and triple for two RBIs, and Ty Elliott went 2-for-4 with two runs.
The Eagles, the 28-seed, beat No. 5 and tournament-host Palisade 5-4 on Saturday morning to make the championship.
The Demons, however, had to climb rather than hold on to get there.
Niwot scored three runs in the top of the first inning and five in the third in Game 1, and DHS found itself in an early hole.
Then, the Demons leaned on their strength: their bats.
Durango rallied with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, one in the fourth, then exploded for 11 runs in the sixth and a 14-9 victory to reach the district championship game.
“Exploded with the bats. Took advantage of some miscues by them and just flat out ran,” Coddington said. “Some really clutch hitting and some great baserunning. One of those big innings that we’re able to throw together sometimes that’s a lot of fun.”
Blake Dunlap was 3-for-3 with two triples, a double and four RBIs, Connor Dugan went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs, Cole Dunegan hit a double and scored four runs, and Isiah Mayberry had three RBIs and the triple that “broke it open.”
No. 21 Niwot added a run in the final frame.
Each team collected 12 hits, but Niwot committed three errors in the loss.
Elliott got the win at the rubber, giving up one earned run and five hits over 4 2/3 innings.
“Did a great job coming in and shutting them down,” Coddington said.
Durango’s first opponent at the CHSAA Class 4A Baseball State Championships’ elite eight May 17-18 in Lakewood is yet to be determined. The brackets likely will be released today.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
Class 4A District 4
CHSAA State Championships
Canyon View Park, Grand Junction
Note: There are eight district tournaments in the state tournament. Durango’s district, hosted by Palisade High School, is the only one listed.
District Semifinals
Saturday, May 11
No. 28 Pueblo East 5, No. 5 Palisade 4, eight innings
No. 12 Durango 14, No. 21 Niwot 9
District Championship
Saturday, May 11
No. 12 Durango 9, No. 28 Pueblo East 0
Durango Herald
