Panthers drop two to Cougars

RANGELY — The Panthers faced off against the Union Cougars on Tuesday. The Cougars were just too much for Rangely, ending both games in just five innings. Beating the Panthers 16-6 and 18-4.
The Panther baseball team is in a rebuilding year with only 11 players, of which 10 are freshmen and sophomores.
Saturday, lone senior Stephen Boleng led the Panthers into a double header against the Paonia Eagles, the 2007 returning league champions. Paonia controlled game one, both defensively and offensively, beating the Panthers in five innings 13-0. Kindall Cushman started for the Panthers on the mound but it just wasn’t his day, giving up 11 runs early. Daniel Garcia managed to quiet the Eagles’ bats for the remainder of the game but Rangely had problems getting the bats going.
Stephen Boleng started the second game on the mound for the Panthers. Rangely lost game two of the double header 13-2 in six innings. Kindall Cushman and Adam Dahl had the only two RBI’s for the Panthers. Dahl drove in Chad Peterson and Cushman then drove Dahl in for the Panthers only rally of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Rangely will be facing off with the Hayden Tigers on Tuesday at home and then traveling to battle Rio Blanco County rivals the Meeker Cowboys Saturday.
The Rangely High School baseball team would like to take the opportunity to thank the following sponsors for their support: Hog Excavation, Fortunato Consulting, C and J Field Services, EnCana, Russell Services, White River Market, KR Fishing, Loaf ‘n’ Jug, Rangely District Hospital, Swabbco, EMC Plumbing and Heating, Ducey’s Electric, Professional Touch, Rio Blanco Realty, Heritage Hardware, WC Striegel, BAKK Country Oilfield Services and Moon Lake Electric.