MEEKER | Before starting spring break 2018, the Meeker High School baseball team traveled to Carbondale last Wednesday for its season opener against the Roaring Fork Rams, who shut out the Cowboys 10-0.
The Cowboys will be idle this week but return from break to play two league games in Rangely against teams from the southwest corner of Colorado, Ignacio and Dolores, March 31.
“Roaring Fork’s ace threw five perfect innings (no hits, no walks) against us,” Meeker head coach Brian Merrifield said. “Garrett Frantz pitched for us, with Jacob Pelloni and Tucker Ercanbrack sharing catching duty.”
Coach Merrifield said starting catcher Luis Villalpando “came down with pneumonia on Tuesday, so it was ‘next guy up!’”
“Jacob (who has not played baseball since middle school) is a tremendous athlete and he stepped up,” coach Merrifield said. “Braydon Garcia (a freshman) stepped in at second base and did an excellent job.”
Coach Merrifield said 29 players are out for the team and they will be led by seniors Frantz and Pelloni, along with Trapper Merrifield, Doak Mantle, Uri Goedert, Cooper Meszaros, Jerrick Garza and Logan Hughes.
Coach Merrifield said Hughes did not play in Carbondale. Although the varsity lost, Merrifield said the JV team won 14-8.
The Cowboys will play Ignacio at noon, March 31, and Dolores at 3 p.m.
