Feature Game

Dakota Ridge 2 Highlands Ranch 1
In a rematch of last year's District Championship game, the Dakota Ridge Eagles would come out again on top 2-1. 

This game came down to two fantastic pitching performances between Seattle University commit 2018 RHP Josh Thompson of Highlands Ranch, and 2018 RHP Cole Binder of Dakota Ridge, both combining to strike out 21 batters. 

To start the game off, both Thompson and Binder would both strike out 6 of the first 9 batters they faced, Binder striking out 6 in a row, and Thompson 5 in a row. 

Dakota Ridge would strike first in the top of the 4th inning when 2019 inf Cade Akerfelds would walk, and 2018 OF Cooper Legault would drive him in with a double to go up 1-0, but then Highlands Ranch would answer in the bottom half of the inning when the Falcons on what looked like a routine double play ball to end the inning benefitted from a bad hop allowing 2019 OF Lance Opp to score to tie the game. Binder, in a jam with runners on 2nd and 3rd, would induce two ground outs back to him to end the inning. 

In the top of the 6th, Akerfelds would lead off with a double and would be driving in by 2018 C Jake Collins to go up 2-1. 

In the 6th 2019 RHP Ryan Stohr (Air Force), would come in and shut down the Falcons in the 6th and 7th to earn the save, and was helped by a nice diving play in CF by Legault with the Falcons threatening. 

The win would make the Eagles 1 and 1 on the season, and the Falcons are now 0-1. Both teams do not play again until they travel to Arizona. 

Thompson's final line was 6 innings pitched, 3 hits allowed, and 12 strikeouts in the bad-beat loss. Cole Binder would pitch 5 innings with 8 hits allowed striking out 9. 

Daily Roundup

Mountain Vista 5 Arapahoe 4
Mountain Vista was controlling the game leading 4 to 0 going into the top of the 7^th when the Arapahoe Warriors scored 4 in that frame.  Mountain Vista was able to push a run across in the bottom of the 7^th to win the game on Wednesday at Mountain Vista High School.  For MV Sam Ireland (2019) went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Drew Stahl (2019) was 3 for 4, scoring 3 runs, and driving in one run.  For Arapahoe, Ryan Nourse was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and Brandon Dryer was 2 for 3 with 1 RBI.  Mountain Vista pitcher Jack Liffrig (2018) had a great outing going 6 innings, allowing just 4 hits and striking out 11 Warriors.

Red Mountain (AZ) 5 Legend 0
Playing down in Arizona Legend took on Red Mountain HS and come up short on Wednesday.  The game was close going into the bottom of the 5^th inning Red Mountain was leading 1 to 0, but then put up a 4 spot to put the game away. 

Ponderosa 10 Northglenn 4
The Mustangs going into the bottom of the 1^st inning were down 2 to 0, but put up 3 runs to take the lead back, then trailing 4 to 3 going into the bottom of the 5^th, Ponderosa exploded for 7 runs to win the game 10 to 4.  Ponderosa’s Will Johannsen (2019) went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and Tyler Shelley (2019) was 3 for 3, scoring 2 runs and 2 RBI’s.  Tyler Shelley was also on the mound and threw 4 innings allowing just 1 hit while striking out 10.

Littleton 10 Grand Junction 2
The Lions came out hot scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning and then added runs in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th innings to beat Grand Junction.  Littleton’s freshman Braden Schiffner (2021) went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s, and Fernando Duran (2018) was 1 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.  For Grand Junction Chavis Nourse (2020) had a good day at the plate going 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Fruita Monument 6 Greeley Central 5
Fruita was cruising along leading the game 6 to 1 going into the top of the 7^th inning, and then Greeley Central came to life and scored 4 runs to make the game close.  The Wildcats were led by a very strong pitching performance by Marcus Lee (2019) who went 5 innings allowing 3 hits, giving up 1 run and striking out 7 Central batters.  For Greeley Central Gavin Blackburn went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s.

Evergreen 11 Smoky Hill 6
Evergreen was trailing 5 to 3 going into the top of the 5^th inning and then pounded out 6 runs, and added another 2 in the top of the 6^th to win this non-league contest on Wednesday.  Evergreen was led by Jack Patterson (2018) who hit a bomb, was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s.  For Smoky Hill, Jake Martin (2018) had a great day at the plate going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s. 

Other scores:

Bishop Machebeuf 5 DSST: Stapleton 4

Platte Canyon 13 Englewood 1