Centennial League Battle at Coors Field, Cougars Come out on Top 8-1
The sky was gloomy in a 29 degree and windy environment as the game began at 11 o’clock at Coors Field. On Tuesday, March 22nd, the Cherokee Trail Cougars took the field instead of the Rockies at home today against the Eaglecrest Raptors.
The Cougars, fresh off of a 3-0 start and a successful trip to Vero Beach, Florida, hoped to get a league win against the Raptors. Eaglecrest came into the matchup 0-2, losing back-to-back games against Pueblo West.
The Cougars took the field first with Tyler Wilcox (12) on the mound. Before the game, Wilcox (12) said, “the environment is electric, and I think everyone here is fired up to play.” But, Eaglecrest struck first and early with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. The Cougars fired back quickly with an inside-the-park home run from Tommy Munch (11) on a 3-2 count. CT picked up steam, scoring Dylan Hommes (12) on a bases-loaded walk.
Later in the third inning, Bowen Tabola (11) hit a sacrifice fly out to the left-field, scoring Dylan Hommes (12). Tabola (11) talked with us about this special Cherokee Trail squad saying, “This is one of the most fun teams I’ve played on […] we clicked as brothers since day one together.” The chemistry the team holds comes with tons of potential to be great. Brett Barber, a senior middle infielder, said, “We have a solid group of guys that want to win a ring, so hopefully we can do that.”
The Cougars maintained their 3-1 lead through the fourth inning with more great pitching by Wilcox and a huge backhanded play made by the shortstop, Braedan Reichert (10). Reichert (10) was a star in the field as he fielded all six balls hit at him, which led to six outs in the game.
Nick Barber (12) started the bats off in the bottom of the fourth inning with a high-energy double into center field. CT stayed hot on the sticks into the fifth inning. Braedan Reichert (10) scored on a single from Colton Gray (11), Bowen Tabola (11) scored on a Nick Barber (12) sacrifice fly to left field, and Brett Barber loaded the bases on a single into the infield. Finally, Tommy Munch (11) brought in runners Gray (11) and Parsons (11) on a fly ball into right field.
Up by a score of 8-1 and after throwing six great innings only allowing one unearned run and three total hits, Wilcox (12) stepped off the mound and let Cody Gessner (12) finish it out for the cougars.
After this win, the Cougars start 1-0 in the league and take on Rock Canyon at home on Friday, March 25th, hoping to stay undefeated on the season.
