A grand slam from Ryan Genualdi gave the Demons a lead and an emotional boost, but it couldn’t give Durango a win.
The Durango High School baseball team took a 4-3 lead on Palisade in the top of the second inning thanks to Genualdi’s bases loaded homer. But, after scoring three runs in the bottom of the first and another three in the fifth, the Bulldogs held on to secure a 6-4 home win Wednesday.
Durango (4-11, 1-3 5A/4A Southwestern League) had only five hits in the game. Peyton Woolverton had two, and both were doubles. Mark Lamoreaux and Ty Ruetschle had the other two hits for Durango.
Dawson Marcum, Ruetschle and Woolverton were on base for Genualdi’s homer.
It was Genualdi’s first career homer on the varsity team. The junior now has six runs batted in this season and seven hits. Durango has three home runs as a team this year.
Lamoreaux and Woolverton also each had a stolen base.
Durango played a clean game defensively with only one error.
Ruetschle took the loss on the mound for Durango. He pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed four hits and three runs. He struck out five and walked three. Kyle Pritchard was tagged for three runs on one hit and four walks for Durango. He recorded two outs.
It was another big win for Palisade, which is now 11-3 overall and 6-1 ion the 4A Western Slope league. The Bulldogs have won five games in a row.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
