ETHAN OVERTON | TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER | Five games in seven days, five wins, and one shutout for Meeker Cowboy baseball, which began Wednesday when Rangley came to Meeker for a nailbiter. The Cowboys, who were up 12-3 at the top of the fifth, let the Panthers take the lead to only reverse the game one more time for the win, 14-13.
Braydon Garcia and Ryan Phelan led scoring with three runs each, Josh Murphy had two and John Hampton Hightower, Jacob Blazon, Liam Deming, Peter Hanks, Ryan Sullivan and Zach Simonson each scored for the Cowboys.
“It was a good game and a come-from-behind win in the bottom of the seventh,” said head coach Donald Blazon. “The win was sealed with clutch hitting by Hanks, he weighs in a lot and comes through with his bat.”
On the mound the game opened with Garcia who threw 63 pitches and two strikes, then freshman Sullivan took the mound for the fifth, and the game was cleaned up with Murphy.
In JV action at Coal Ridge the first game was won by the Cowboys 13-1 and in the second game “we got the whole team some playing time, which was important and good to get all the kids in, but it was a 18-1 loss,” said Blazon.
Saturday against the Pirates the Cowboys only allowed six runs in the Meeker/Olathe double header.
“A very windy day and boys hit the ball hard, but the wind,” commented Blazon.
In game one Deming had both scores for the team. He had a three base hit which led to one score and was batted in by Hanks for the second.
Ryan Sullivan 
Zach Simonsen 
Ryan Phelan
“We found a way to get in a run late in the eighth, once again brought in by Hanks.” commented Blazon.
“Liam gets the save,” began Blazon, “bases load with no outs, good defense and play at the plate for the first out, and then an unassisted double play at third by Johnathon Fitzgibbons for the win and two outs to finish the inning and win the game.”
In game two with the Pirates, the Cowboys came out strong in the first which sealed the win from the beginning, as the teams answered each other for the rest of the game.
At the mound Deming “threw strikes all day and the bats woke up some more,” commented Blazon. “Our defense was good all day,” he wrapped up.
The Cowboys brought 17 kids and all of them got to play.
“We got in and up on them early and were able to get the kids in,” said Blazon.
Deming hit a grand slam on his birthday leading the RBI and scoring two alongside Garcia, and Phelan.
Damik Chintala pitched the first game lights out. “He is a great defensive pitcher,” said Blazon, “and had a diving catch and made some great plays, and struck out five with 67 pitches and only allowed one hit.”
Fitzgibbons pitched the second game lights out, “he worked hard, but got it done quickly,” commented Blazon.
The RPI is finally out, the Cowboys are sitting at 21 and need to be in the top 24 to make it to the playoffs.
“We are sitting right in that bubble, ” said Blazon, “however we are tied for number one in the state for wins. This Friday we host Cedaredge, and wins against them should really help the RPI. Then next week we take on Hotchkiss and wins there will also help the RPI. We are going after these teams and expect to get some wins. The boys are playing hard and I am proud of them.”
The last home games for the Cowboys are Friday, May 27. Games begin at 3 p.m. and the Cowboys are hosting the Cedaredge Bruins.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
