The Panthers played three home games last week. The first they lost to the Steamboat Sailors 15-11. Then they beat the No. 3 Nucla Mustangs in the first game of a doubleheader, followed by a 19-2 loss. MATT SCOGGINS PHOTO
RANGELY I The Rangely Panther baseball team kicked off its 2022 season with three straight home games last week. The Panthers first hosted the Sailors from Steamboat Springs and then the No. 3 in 1A Nucla Mustangs. These games were the first for the Panthers as they had their previously scheduled games with Coal Ridge High School canceled due to poor field conditions for both teams.
In the Panthers first game against the Sailors, the Sailors jumped out early and scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Panthers responded in the bottom half of the inning by plating three runs. The Sailors then took a two-run lead in the top of the second inning and the Panthers responded with seven runs of their own. The third and fourth innings were scoreless for both teams and heading into the fifth inning the Panthers led 10-4. The Sailors then erupted for 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings and the Panthers scored one. The game ended in a 15-11 score in favor of the Sailors.
The Panthers were led offensively by juniors Luis Quintana and Kevin Wren. Quintana went 3-3 on the day as Wren went 2-5 with an RBI. Senior Brent Cantrell also collected two hits on the day while scoring one run and knocking in an RBI for the Panthers. Sophomore Kobey Chism went 2-3 while scoring one run and with one of his two hits driving in an RBI for the Panthers as well. Overall, the Panthers’ coaching staff was very pleased with their players approaches at the plate and the ability to put numerous good swings on the baseball during game one. Due to the longevity of game one, game two was not completed before being called off because of darkness.
The Panthers had to rebound from their home opener loss to the Sailors and take on the Nucla Mustangs on Saturday. The Mustangs came into the game with a 1-0 record and were ranked No. 3 in the CHSAA ‘s 1A baseball coaches’ poll. The Panthers hot bats from their home opener did not respond well to the Nucla pitching in the first three innings. In those innings, the Panthers plated one run to the Mustangs seven. Entering the bottom of the fourth inning and facing the possible mercy rule, the Panthers had to get going offensively.
Leading off the inning for the Panthers, Cantrell drew a walk from the Mustangs. Senior Wyatt Tull also walked, putting the Panthers at first and second base with no outs. Freshman Marcos Quintana walked to make it three straight walks for the Panthers and load the bases. Chism then smacked a single to center field that scored Cantrell bring the score to 10-2 in favor of the Mustangs. The bases remained loaded as the Panthers leadoff hitter, Wren, walked on four straight pitches to bring in Tull and make the game 10-3. Justin Cudo then hit a hard ground ball to the Mustangs shortstop who bobbled the transfer, and all Panthers runners were safe. Marcos Quintana scored on the play bringing the game to 10-4. Byron Mackay drove the very next pitch to right field that plated both Chism and Wren. Chism then walked and Wren was hit by a pitch, driving in the tying run and bringing the game even at 10 runs apiece.
The Mustangs responded with three runs in the top of the fifth inning that made the score 13-10 in their favor. The Panthers did not falter though as they plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning bringing the score back to 13-13. The Mustangs then scored one run in the top of the sixth inning making the game 14-13. The Panthers continued to stay hot at the plate as they scored three runs putting them up 16-14. The Panthers were able to keep the Mustangs at bay and only allow one run in the top of the seventh inning and secure their first win of the season.
Game two was not the same story for the Panthers as the Mustangs scored one run in the top of the first, six in the second, eight in the third and four in the fourth to give them 19 runs in the game. The Panthers were only able to play one run in the first inning and one run in the fourth and fell to the Mustangs 19-2 in the second game. The Panthers will travel to Dove Creek on Friday, April 1 and take on the Bull Dogs at 2 and 4 p.m. The next day, the Panthers will travel to Cortez and take on Montezuma-Cortez for more non-league action.
Special to the Herald Times
