Practicing indoors is nothing new for the Durango High School baseball team. The team has been preparing for the 2023 season inside for the last few months on indoor mounds and batting cages. The snow prevented them from getting outside and throwing until Monday, but DHS used its time inside well, helping them start the new season by going 2-1 at Aztec High School’s tournament over the weekend.
“I have a bunch of focused kids and they make the most of it,” said DHS head coach Rob Coddington. “We went right down to Aztec and were able to play competitively. I’m pleased with the guys.”
Durango started the tournament by beating Kirtland Central 13-0 on Thursday. After a 7-3 loss against Montezuma-Cortez on Friday, the Demons responded Saturday by beating Aztec 15-1.
“In the first game, we had a great approach as a team and in the third game we had the same aggressive approach,” Coddington said. “The best part of the Aztec game was the response. They didn’t take the loss lightly, and we put it to them.”
On offense, the coach said Michael Benner, Ian Szura, Gavin Hamlin and Jake Englund “had really aggressive approaches” at the plate and were steady all weekend to lead the team.
On Saturday against Aztec, he said Tanner Coddington, AJ Folk, Lane Greenlee and Brady Hansen “really showed up” and gave the team “a more complete lineup.”
Benner scored seven runs in the tournament. Hamlin had six hits in 10 at bats, scored six runs and drove in four more. Hansen had six hits in his 10 at bats, scored twice and drove in six. Englund got six hits in 12 at bats, scoring two runs to go with four RBIs. Coddington scored five runs and drove in two. Szura scored five runs and had two RBIs. Greenlee had three RBIs and scored once.
While the team’s offense supplied runs in bunches, the pitchers also threw well.
“Pitching really carried us this weekend,” Coddington said. “We had great starts from Tanner, Tagert (Bardin) and Jake.”
Coddington earned the win against Kirtland Central, striking out 12 in five innings while only allowing one hit and three walks.
Bardin threw four innings against Cortez and DHS was only trailing 4-3 when he came out. Bardin gave up two earned runs in the game on seven hits while striking out three.
Englund recorded the win against Aztec, allowing one run on two hits in five innings while striking out seven.
The team didn’t commit any errors in its win against Aztec either.
“Defensively, we played well behind (our pitchers),” Coddington said. “I’m just really happy with the leadership the kids are showing, and not just the seniors. They’ve been working really hard since last season ended and it was good to see that pay off.”
Durango will play three more games this week at the Lloyd McMillan Invite, co-hosted by Delta and Montrose. DHS will play Battle Mountain on Thursday and then both Falcon and Liberty on Friday.
DHS will then play its home opener March 28 against Bayfield.
The coach is optimistic about the team this year.
“It’s a different atmosphere with these guys,” coach Coddington said. “They have a lot of reasons to have a chip on their shoulders (after last season). It was cool to see them playing with pride and flying around the field.”
