PUEBLO – The Alamosa High School baseball team played a unique doubleheader on Saturday with games against Brush and Eaton at the Runyon Sports Complex.
The Mean Moose lost a close decision to the Beetdiggers 4-3 and then lost to the Reds 12-1.
“Even though we didn’t come out with a win today, we played some of our best baseball this weekend,” said Alamosa coach Tony Kechter. “In practice we were working hard and it’s starting to come together. They’re starting to make some adjustments during game time.”
Brush 4, Alamosa 3
The first game against Brush took place at a newly refurbished Hobbs Field which has a new artificial infield surface.
The Beetdiggers struck for three runs in the top of the first inning. Landon Mesch singled with two out and he scored on Sawyer Albert’s double. Tanner Ludgate then drew a walk, and Ben Mettlen brought both runners home with a single.
The Mean Moose came back with a run in the top of the second. Carlos Garcia singled, stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Jonah Pittman then singled to plate Garcia.
Alamosa tied the score in the sixth inning. Gus West reached on an error to lead off the inning and he went to second on a wild pitch. Garcia was hit by a pitch and both runners advanced on PIttman’s groundout. West scored as Tony Griego was safe on a fielder’s choice, and Garcia came home on Jaidyn Burciaga’s infield single.
Brush regained the lead in its half of the sixth. Ludgate led off with a single and he stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. He scored the go-ahead run on a balk.
The Mean Moose put a runner on base in the seventh but was left stranded.
“We got down and didn’t give up,” Kechter said. “We tied it up and they got an unfortunate run which I don’t really think was a balk. Our boys just didn’t give up and they competed today.
Xavier Lujan went the distance on the mound, but was dealt the loss. He allowed four runs and eight hits and he had five strikeouts and two walks.
The Mean Moose had five hits and were led by West who went 2-4. Burciaga went 1-2, Garcia went 1-3, and Pittman went 1-3.
Eaton 12, Alamosa 1
The second game was played at Andenucio Field and the Mean Moose were the home team.
The Reds jumped out to the early lead by scoring six runs in the top of the first.
Kade Gentry and Gunnar Duncan both walked to start the game and both runners came home on Lucas Stone’s double. Garrett Garrison also drew a walk, and Joey Blaskowski brought home both Stone and Garrison with a single and Eaton led 4-0.
Malaki Dalpra singled, and Zack Maske’s single plated Blaskowski. Dalpra then scored on a balk to wrap up the scoring for the first inning.
The Reds scored two more runs in the second. Stone received a base on balls, as did Garrison. Stone scored on Mitch Haythorn’s groundout, and Garrison came home on a balk and Eaton had an 8-0 advantage.
The Reds scored three more runs in the fourth. Stone was safe on an error, and Garrison hit a two-run home run.
Liam Whalen singled and went to third on Dalpra’s double. Whalen scored as Everett Edinger reached on an error for an 11-0 lead.
The Mean Moose finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Pittman drew a two-out walk, and Jo David broke up the no-hit bid with a triple to plate Pittman.
Eaton scored one more run in the top of the fifth. Chandler Stewart and Gunnar Garrison both singled, and Whalen singled home Stewart.
Kiko Ruybal started on the mound for the Mean Moose and was tagged with the loss. He gave up eight run and five hits and he struck out two and walked six. Pittman relived Ruybal in the fourth and surrendered four runs and six hits with three striekouts and no walks.
Stone pitched a one-hitter for Eaton. David went 1-2 with his hit being an RBI-triple to lead the Mean Moose.
What’s next
Alamosa (0-6) will compete in the La Junta Invitational this weekend. The Mean Moose will first play Sterling at 10 a.m. on Friday.
“It’s a true tournament, so the only team we know we’re going to play is Sterling,” Kechter said., “It depends what we do after that.”
Brush 4, Alamosa 3
Alamosa 010 003 0 – 3 5 1
Brush 300 001 x – 4 8 1
Lujan (L) and Garcia. Albert, Mettlen (6, W) and Eicher.
Eaton 12, Alamosa 1
Eaton 620 31 – 12 11 0
Alamosa 000 10 – 1 1 3
Stone (W) and Duncan, Whalen (5). Ruybal (L), Pittman (4) and David. HR – E: Ga. Garrison (4th inn.,, 1 on, no outs).
