Skylar Browning (top) and Jace Mobley of the Meeker Cowboy baseball team competed in Cedaredge last Saturday. The Cowboys are on a six game win streak and look to keep it going Friday at Grand Valley.
RICH KLINZMANN PHOTOS
MEEKER | Cowboy baseball had a 2-9 start last year and this year they are 8-6, dominating through a six-game win streak, and look towards an opponent this week that they plan on turning into an eight game win streak.
“We had a rough stretch in the beginning, but now on our six game winning streak it has a lot to do with being able to practice on our field,” commented Skylar Browning.
Meeker Baseball is on a winning streak.
In their first home games of the season last Wednesday the Cowboys went 17-7 and 2-1.
“Our bats came alive early in the first game,” said head coach Donald Blazon.
Jake Blazon, who currently leads the team with a .733 batting average and .774 on base percentage went 100 in game one, with three hits, two of which were doubles, and three RBIs.
“I have been around baseball my entire life. When I was young I was introduced to the sport by my Dad, Ron Kelly and my Uncle Rod,” Jake said. “This season I have really found my passion for the sport of baseball, I have been able to play in many positions on the field and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
“We have been playing together — our baseball team — as a group of friends since we were seven-years-old,” continued Jake. “We played in each other’s backyards and have been teammates for a long time, and it really is fun to play with these guys.”
“We’re playing better defense but we need to stay focused and continue to work harder every week,” said Coach Blazon.
Game 2 was a pitcher’s duel. Jonathan Fitzgibbons threw six innings, allowing one hit and no runs. Jake came in for the seventh inning to finish the game.
Offensively, clutch hitting from Jake and Ryan Sullivan in the third and fifth innings yielded one RBI each for a 2-1 victory.
Games on Saturday were moved to Cedaredge due to the snow Friday.
“Our Cedaredge games went well,” said Coach Blazon. “We had a good plan going into these games and the team executed well.”
The Cowboys won game one 13-6 and game two 13-4 against the Bruins.
Browning pitched several innings across the four games last week and is part of the successful pitching lineup for the Cowboys, a group of boys that work hard in the off season and have been playing together for years.
“In the off season I play football and wrestle and take any and all opportunities to throw and hit,” said Browning. “I think it’s important to stay in shape year round, and that has been echoed by all of our coaches. A lot of us are hoping to play in some tournaments this summer and keep working on our skills.”
Browning has pitched 18 innings this season, throwing 336 pitches, with 20 strikeouts, third highest on the team for all stats mentioned.
“We’ve had a strong offense all season, but our defense is improving with each game,” wrapped up Browning. “I trust that my guys have my back when I’m pitching.”
This week it looks like the Cowboys will get the opportunity to have a full week of practice outdoors on the field and get that defensive practice their coach is calling for with drier weather forecast for much of the week.
The JV also took the field for the first time this week in Rangely coming home with some wins.
“There were a lot of defensive mistakes,” said Blazon, “but they had the bats going which was enough to get two wins.”
JV took the field once again Monday in Rifle under sunny skies. It was close in game one, lost in the bottom of the seventh 4-6 and then coming back to win game two 15-7.
Varsity looks to have a single game day Friday at Grand Valley. The Cardinals are currently 0-10. Game is set to begin at 4 p.m.
BY TIFFANY JEHOREK | SPECIAL TO THE HERALD TIMES
