MEEKER | The biennial reorganization or evaluation of leagues and classifications by CHSAA dramatically changed the Cowboy’s baseball team league. Only three teams are in the league: Meeker, Rangely, and Grand Valley. This means the Cowboys play a primarily 3A schedule.
Assistant coach Cody Smith told the HT this week’s games were Spencer Gates (left) best games at bat so far this season. Carson Klinzmann (right) leads the pitchers with a 702 strike. In the first game against Olathe, Klinzmann threw three innings with no errors, no hits and no runs. | RICH KLINZMANN PHOTOS
“We had a similar schedule last year,” commented assistant coach Cody Smith, “but at the end of the season when the rankings matter it should help us that we are playing these tough ranked teams.”
The Cowboys finished the weekend 2-2 and that takes the overall record to 4-6.
“Five of our six losses have been to high ranked teams, and our sixth loss was only by two points; which could have been anyone’s game,” said Smith.
Friday’s games were supposed to be held at home, but the field was not ready as the snow had been piled on the infield and kept it from drying out. The opponent, Coal Ridge, hosted the games and took the wins.
“Coal Ridge is ranked third in 3A below two teams that will likely go undefeated on the season,” commented Smith. “In both games they only had one error; at bat and defensively they are a well oiled machine.”
Saturday went the Cowboy way with two dominant wins 17-2 and 14-3 over the Olathe Pirates.
“We have 19 boys on the team, four or five of which are JV only,” said Smith. “It can make pitching difficult and last weekend we used five pitchers, but none of the games went past 4-5 innings”.
CHSAA rules state that after 35 pitches the player must get a one-day rest and after 100 they must get a two-day rest. Playing double headers back to back and having multiple pitchers in a game quickly dwindles down the roster, but the Cowboys are fortunate to have six varsity level pitchers on a 19 person team.
In game one, Carson Klinzmann and Wil Schwartz each pitched 32 throws. Klinzmann had no errors, no hits and no runs.
In game two, Schwartz took the mound again followed by Jake Blazon. Schwartz threw 71 pitches in the two games and only allowed five runs. Blazon has been spending most of his time behind the plate catching, but he threw three innings with no errors and struck out four and only allowed one hit.
As a team the pitchers are throwing a 634 strike average. Klinzmann leads with 702, followed by Skylar Browning at 667 and Blazon at 675.
At bat, Spencer Gates went 714 in the two games, with four double base hits, six RBIs, and three runs.
“These were Spencer’s best games at bat so far this season,” commented Smith.
Ethan Quinn scored six, Ryan Sullivan four, Jonathan Fitzgibbons four, and Blazon three in the two games, to lead the team.
“We have been trying some different combinations of players on defense, to see if we can find permanent spots for some of the boys,” said Smith, “Blazon had a great play at shortstop where he back peddled, fell, got the stop, and threw from the ground to get the player out at second.”
The Cowboys will have hosted Wednesday games after press time this week, and then will host Cedaredge Saturday, with games beginning at 11 a.m.
“Cedaredge is going to be a good game,” said Smith. “They typically have a strong program and it will be a good challenge for us.”
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
