Ignacio forfeit gives Rangely spot in district tournament

RANGELY — They’re in, and that’s all that matters.
The top two teams from the league advance to the district baseball tournament, but when Ignacio pulled out, Rangely was in.
“Ignacio forfeited their seat, so we got their spot,” said Panther Coach Wes Torsell.
Even though Rangely is from the north district, the Colorado High School Activities Association chose the Panthers to replace Ignacio, which represented the south district.
Rangely will play league champion and No. 1-ranked Paonia at 10 a.m. Friday at Canyon View Park in Grand Junction. The Panthers finished third in the league, behind Paonia and Meeker. Rangely went 1-3 against the Eagles during the regular season.
“We beat them once,” Torsell said of Paonia. “We beat them there, 16-6, we 10-runned them. Then they swept us, but both games were close. We were in both of them.”
Torsell will start senior pitcher Roman Chavez against Paonia.
“He’s pitched great in both games he’s pitched against them,” Torsell said. “He lost both games, but he pitched the best out of anyone on our pitching staff against Paonia.”
Torsell expects a good showing by the three league teams at the district tournament.
“It’s pretty tough competition,” he said of the league. “Whoever wins (at district), might really go far.”
The Panthers, 7-8, held on for a 12-5 victory Tuesday against Hayden.