MEEKER I The Meeker Rockies played two make-up games last week against two different Craig teams. The boys, always fired up and playing as a team, secured both wins.
As coaches Dave and Sandy Scherbarth continue to work with each player, improvements are evident in their fielding and hitting skills.
In the June 20 game, the Rockies scored one run in the first inning and six runs in the second inning where the score remained 7-0 until the fifth inning. At the bottom of the fifth, Craig had bases loaded with two outs. The Craig player hit to center field where Austin Mortensen fielded the ball, throwing it to his cut-off man, Kale Burke. Burke tossed the ball to Chris Scherbarth who tagged the player between second and third, ending the game with a 7-2 win.
In the June 23 game, the Rockies played great defense. A hit to right field was fielded by Estevan Barreno who threw it in to first baseman, K. Burke, holding the runner. A fly ball hit to shortstop was caught by Scherbarth, his athleticism showing when he jumped and rolled to complete the catch. K. Burke was quick on his feet when he snagged a fast grounder to first for the out. In the last inning of the game, a quick hit to pitcher Scherbath was thrown to Shelton at first for the out. Another ball was hit to Shelton at first, where he fielded the ball and tagged the bag to end the game with an 8-5 victory.
Scherbarth, Shelton and Cole Rogers all pitched extremely well throughout both games. In the first game, Scherbarth allowed only three hits and two walks for all five innings, striking out 10 players. Elijah Deming, Shelton and Jeffrey Cole-George all put on the pads, working hard behind the plate. In the field Pake Burke continues to play third well, while teammate Mortensen plays second base like it’s second nature to him. Scherbarth and K. Burke rotate at shortstop, both strong players in that position, while first is dominated by Shelton and K. Burke. Rogers protects the outfield in center, occasionally covering an infield position when he’s not pitching. Right and left field is covered by Cole-George, Justin George and Barreno, all working hard to get the balls in quickly to their cut-off man to stop the runners.
All players continue to have confidence against fast pitchers and are hitting better and better as the season progresses. Cole-George, Barreno and Mortensen earned walks in both games. Deming also earned walks, but hit a double as well. Rogers, earning walks, hit a hard single along with teammate P. Burke. George put his bat on the ball, but was out at first. Shelton hit three singles and a double. K. Burke earned a walk and hit two singles and consistently earns RBI’s. Scherbath hit very well last week, with a single and three home runs.
The Meeker Rockies are more than ready to take on their opponents in the tournament season. The format is double elimination. If you ask the Rockies’ parents, players and their coaches, the Rockies will not be eliminated! Good luck!
