PUEBLO – The Monte Vista High School baseball team had a tough start to the Class 2A State Tournament on Friday as it lost to second-ranked and defending state champion Denver Christian 4-1 at the Runyon Sports Complex’s Hobbs Field.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to start the tournament,” said Monte Vista coach Luke Bradshaw. “Denver Christian’s a good team. They have good pitching. Their guy on the bump did a good job hitting the spots and changing speed. We put one on them early, but we couldn’t get hits after that.”

The Pirates took the early lead by scoring its only run in the top of the first inning. Kobe Jiron struck out but the ball got past Thunder catcher Asher Hawes and Jiron was able to reach first base.

Two batters later, Azariah Hurtado tripled to left center field and Jiron scored on the play.

Denver Christian tied the score in its half of the inning. Nathan Buehrer singled and Mason Reilly reached on an error. Brayden Epperhart singled home Buehrer with the tying run.

The Thunder took the lead with a run in the third. Buehrer led off with an infield single and Hawes also singled. Epperhart was safe on a fielder’s choice and Buehrer scored on James Lord’s infield single.

Denver Christian put another run on the board in the fifth. Epperhart singled and took second on an error. Lord and James Bovasso both walked, and Epperhart came home as Frankie Spallone was safe on an error.

The Thunder added another run in the sixth. Reilly had a bunt single and advanced to third on an error. He scored on Epperhart’s sacrifice bunt.

Jiron went the distance as the Pirates’ pitcher, but he was dealt the loss. He allowed four runs and nine hits and he had no strikeouts and three walks.

Thunder pitcher Reilly allowed only one hit as Hurtado went 1-3 with a triple and one RBI. After Hurtado’s triple, he retired the last 19 batters he faced including 12 of his 13 strikeouts.

Monte Vista (19-4) saw its 14-game winning streak come to an end. It will face third-ranked Las Animas at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Andenucio Field. Should the Pirates win, they will play at noon on Saturday. A loss will end the season.

“We have to find a way to win two games this weekend,” Bradshaw said.

Denver Christian 4, Monte Vista 1

Monte Vista                100   000  0 – 1   1   4

Denver Christian         101   011  x – 4   9   0

Jiron (L) and J. Baumgardner. Reilly (W) and Hawes.