Meeker Sports, MHS Baseball, Sports

Cowboys play ‘must win’ game

By Tiffany Jehorek
Special to the Herald Times
MEEKER | The Cowboys were in a must win situation due to the RPI ranking system on Thursday, May 3 as they faced off against the Roaring Fork Rams. The game originally scheduled to be hosted by Meeker had to be moved to Rifle due to an unplayable field from the recent storms. It was a battle from the beginning with the Cowboys playing both sides of the ball well, executing and prevailing with a score of 12-4, keeping the team alive for the regional seeding.
Cowboy coach Brian Merrifield started junior Tristan Wille, calling his performance “stellar.” This was Wille’s first varsity start and he pitched three innings giving up four runs, two earned. The pitching lineup continued with Garrett Frantz throwing two innings, giving up zero runs and picking up the win. Logan Hughes finished up the game and threw two innings, gave up zero runs and earned the save.
The previous matchup on March 15 between the Cowboys and Rams ended with the Rams walking away with a 10-0 win. Merrifield had a defensive strategy for this game and it paid off.
“Tristan stepped into a tough spot and showed us he can hang, Merrifield said.  Having a bench with depth allowed for Frantz and Hughes to take over with catcher Luis Villalpando and effectively “shut the door on the Rams”
Offensive pressure put on the Rams led to 12 runs. During the March 15 game they were up against a pitcher who threw five perfect innings, but they were prepared and ready for the challenge on Thursday. Trapper Merrifield, Hughes and Frantz were all three for four at the bat. Merrifield picked up a stolen base, his 28th of the season.  Other at bats earning runs included Villalpando who was two for four and Ryan Phelan who was two for two. Doak Mantle, Cooper Meszaros, Uri Goedert and Jacob Phelan all hit one each with Hughes, Villalpando, and Mantle driving in two runs each.
Cowboys followed up the win on Thursday with two disappointing losses on Monday, May 7 to Hotchkiss. It was a perfect day for baseball in Meeker, the weather cooperated, but the Cowboys could not overcome the defensive errors. Merrifield said “He loves watching these guys play,” and has enjoyed every second he has gotten to spend with “his group of seniors” since T-ball. Merrifield is the father to one of the seniors on the team and has dedicated years of his life to coaching these boys. He says he has thrown a million pitches and would throw them a million more. He considers himself “blessed” to spend so much time with them.
Hotchkiss bested Meeker Monday 11-1 and 9-0. Game one opened with Hughes followed by Goedert, Wille and Frantz all throwing to Villalpando. Defensive errors against a team like Hotchkiss are unaffordable.“They made us pay,” Merrifield said. Offensively the ball was hit hard, it just happened to be directly at a Bulldog each and every time.
Trapper Merrifield started on the mound for game two, with Phelan, Cole Rogers and Josh Murphy all pitching to Villalpando.
“It was just one of those days where they hit the ball where we weren’t and we hit at them,” said Merrifield.
Rangely travels to Meeker Thursday, May 10 at 4 p.m. for district play at Paintbrush Park. This is a must win game for the Cowboys in order to play Paonia, the second seed, in the district tournament. Districts will be hosted by Olathe High School on Saturday, May 12. The district tournament begins at 10 a.m. with game one between No. 1 vs. No. 4/5, game two at 12 p.m. between No. 2 vs No. 3/6, and the title game at 2 p.m. The state tournament is in Pueblo, Colo., May 19.

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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  • The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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