County

Cowboys win 3; must-win tonight at Paintbrush Park

MEEKER | The Cowboys’ baseball team won three games last week and they are in a must-win situation today when they host the 3A Roaring Fork Rams at Paintbrush Park, with the varsity game starting at 4 p.m., followed by the JV. The Cowboys beat 3A Coal Ridge in Silt last Wednesday, then won a doubleheader against Rangely last Saturday.

The Cowboys are 11-5 overall and 3-1 in the Western Slope League amd have three games left to play, including today’s game. Monday, the Cowboys will host the Hotchkiss Bulldogs in a doubleheader, currently 12-2 overall and undefeated (5-0) in league play. The first game will determine the Western Slope League champions and No. 1 seed in the district tournament.

The Cowboys beat the 3A Coal Ridge Titans 23-18 in a seven inning game, then beat Rangely 8-6 in the first game and 16-6 in the second.

“Against Coal Ridge, we ran into a small strike zone, which caused us to throw eight different pitchers to get through seven innings and pick up the win,” Coach Merrifield said. “Offensively, we were hot, picking up 22 hits, including our first and second home runs of the year. The first was by junior Luis Villalpando, the first of his career and one that started a six-run second inning.”

The Cowboys trailed 8-10 after two innings, then each team scored three runs in the next two innings, still trailing 11-13 going into the fifth.

“In the fifth inning, senior Doak (Mantle) blasted a two-run homer, his first of the season and the fifth of his career,” Coach Merrifield said. “We had some young guys step in and pitch in some tough situations and as a coach, I love to see my younger guys stepping up and accepting the challenge.”

Senior Logan Hughes got the win for the Cowboys, Mantle got the save, while seniors Garrett Frantz, Uri Goedert and Trapper Merrifield all pitched, as did sophomore Cole Rogers and freshmen Ryan Phelan and Braydon Garcia.

Mantle went five-for-five from the plate with five RBIs, Merrifield had five hits in six at-bats, while Villalpando, Goedert and senior classmate Jacob Pelloni, all had three hits against the Titans. Hughes had two and Frantz had one.

Coach Merrifield said the Cowboys started against the Panthers without two of their starters but “C.J. Wagnild and Colten Wille stepped in and did a terrific job for us.”

“Cooper Meszaros, also had his first home run of his career, as he beat Rangely’s right fielder and ran the bases for an inside the park home run, to help us win 8-6,” Coach Merrifield said.

Trapper Merrifield suffered a cleat injury in the first game and Coach Merrifield was again proud of his younger players, when he said, “Again, we had the next up guy mentality and Braydon Garcia got the job done.”

“Also in game two, Luis continued to be hot at the plate and drove in four runs with one swing of his bat,” Coach Merrifield said. “It was Luis’ second homer of the season and the first grand slam I have ever witnessed as a coach. I am super proud of Luis and couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Villalpando, who caught both games against the Panthers, also got to throw from the mound.

“We had six different pitchers for two games against Rangely and they all worked off the mound very well,” Coach Merrifield said of Frantz, Goedert (pitched in both games), Mantle, Villalpando, Meszaros and Garcia. “Luis caught both games as usual and Tanner Ridgeway caught one inning when Luis took his turn pitching.”

The Cowboys have a tough challenge ahead, in order to move up in the playoff rankings, they have to beat Roaring Fork, a team that beat them 10-0 the first time they played this season, then they have to beat Hotchkiss by eight runs to win the WSL, Monday, while Hotchkiss only needs to win by one.

“I believe in this group of young men and truly believe we can bring home a league championship,” Coach Merrifield said.

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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.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
2 days ago
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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
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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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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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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View on Instagram |
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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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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.
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.
6 days ago
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