A last-inning blunder was the only blemish on an otherwise strong opening day for the Durango High School baseball team.
Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Demons relieved starting pitcher Tyler Ruetschle after a stellar six innings on the mound. A few walks, a wild pitch and a miscommunication in the outfield on a fly ball allowed New Mexico’s Belen High School (4-2) to score a walk-off run and secure a 3-2 victory. It was the first game for DHS (0-1) at the Farmington Invitational at Ricketts Park in Farmington.
Ruetschle struck out nine, walked two and allowed only five hits in a no decision.
“I think we gotta be happy considering the limited amount of time we’ve had to get out on the field,” said DHS head coach Eric Baker. “It’s always tough early in the season to play teams who have already played some games. We had a couple of letdowns in critical situations, but overall I’m happy with the opener.”
Hitting in the leadoff spot, Mark Lamoreaux had three of the team’s eight hits in the game. He went 3-for-4 with a run, a run batted in and a stolen base. Gavin Mestas went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The Demons had a pair of extra-base hits, as Ruetschle added a double and Dakota Padoven had a triple.
“We swung it reasonably well and outhit them,” Baker said.
Baker said the team relieved Ruetschle on the mound because they didn’t want him to throw seven innings this early in the season.
Peyton Woolverton will take his turn on the mound at 9 a.m. Friday against Littleton in the consolation bracket of the tournament.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
