The Ignacio High School boys baseball team had a tough start to the season, dropping its first two games of the Ignacio Invitational Tournament, which began Friday afternoon.
The Bobcats opened up play with an 8-0 loss to Salida, then dropped their second game 12-2 against Hotchkiss.
In Game 1 versus Salida, Ignacio (0-2) had problems getting runs on the board, as the Bobcats were held to two hits. Des Lau received the win after throwing six innings for Salida (2-1). He recorded seven strikeouts in the shutout. Lau also went 2-for-4 with two runs and two doubles at the plate. As a team, Salida recorded eight hits.
For Ignacio, Zach Weinreich got the loss in 2 1/3 innings/ He gave up three earned runs, two hits and walked five batters. Weinreich did strike out five batters in the process. Tucker Ward went 1-for-3 at the plate, and Timmy Plehinger went 1-for-1.
In Game 2, the Bobcats started the game well by getting on the board in the first inning, but Hotckiss took advantage of handy pitching and gave Ignacio its second loss of the day.
Ignacio held Hotchkiss (2-0) scoreless in the first inning and scored its first run when Kruz Pardo reached on a single up the middle only to advance to second base on a throwing error. Ward then reached on a throwing error the next at-bat, giving Pardo a clear path to score from second. Ignacio’s luck quickly ran out, as Hotchkiss struck out the next six Ignacio batters in a row.
Both Pardo and Ward finished the game 1-for-3.
Jonathan Gonzalez went the distance for Hotchkiss, going six innings and striking out 11 batters. Gonzalez allowed only three hits and two runs.
Rain Rose went three innings for Ignacio. Rose gave up six hits and six runs.
Hotchkiss recorded 14 hits as a team.
Other teams participating in the tournament are Cedaredge, Buena Vista and Dolores.
Hotchkiss went 2-0 on the day with its other win coming against Salida, 11-1.
Beuna Vista also went 2-0 with wins coming against Dolores, 11-4, and Cedaredge, 10-9.
Ignacio will turn its attention to Cedaredge (3-0) to open morning play Saturday. The Bobcats play the Bruins at 10 a.m.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
