The Yotes Baseball team is hitting its stride as they emerge from Spring Break, having played six games since the last Booster Brief. Here’s a recap of the exciting action:
Home Opener Against Boulder
On Tuesday, March 18th, the Yotes hosted Boulder at MOHI for their home opener. Despite the bitter cold and howling winds typical of Colorado in March, the team was ready to roll. Staff ace Charlie Pierce (Senior) took the mound and showcased his skills by keeping the Panthers hitless for the first four innings while striking out five batters.
By the bottom of the seventh inning, the Yotes trailed 4-3. Sophomore Blake Thompson (3 hits, 1 RBI) ignited a comeback with a single. Two errors by the Panthers allowed the Yotes to tie the game at four. Ultimately, the Yotes walked it off in the bottom of the eighth, as the Panthers' mistakes proved costly.
Annual Foundation Game at Coors Field
On Friday, March 21st, the Yotes returned to Coors Field for their annual foundation game, this year facing Mountain Range. The Yotes clinched a 16-9 victory, with Max Webb (Senior) just missing a home run and Evan DiCarlo (Senior) creating flashbacks to Troy Tulowitzki with a leaping grab of a line drive, turning a double play.This game is an exhibition and doesn't count toward the standings.
Arizona Trip Highlights
The Yotes traveled to Arizona on Monday, March 24th, for a four-game series:
- In their first game against the Westview Wildcats from Oregon, Blake Thompson continued his hot streak with three hits in three at-bats, while Senior Zander Belland hit his first home run of the season. Unfortunately, they couldn't overcome five errors, dropping the game 7-2.
- Game two featured Pierce on the mound against the Pendleton Buckaroos (OR). Pierce demonstrated why he’s committed to Old Dominion, dominating on the mound with six innings pitched, one hit, one walk, and an impressive 11 strikeouts. He had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings. DiCarlo closed the game in the seventh, earning a save. Senior Preston Hutchings contributed three hits, and Belland added two more to his tally.
- Thursday's matchup against the West Salem Titans proved challenging, as the Yotes fell 11-1 in a four-inning game.
- In the final game of the week against Oregon's top-ranked Bend Lava Bears, Sophomore Brody Montemayor settled the game after a rough start for the Yotes, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out five. Thompson shined again with a 3/4 performance and two runs scored, while Junior Logan Uhlenhake added a solid 2/3 with a run.
Looking Ahead
After five games, the Yotes stand at 2-3 as they prepare for league play to begin this week, led by the hot hitting of Thompson (.667 batting average, 1.492 slugging percentage) and the stellar pitching of Pierce (10 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, 16 strikeouts).
Support the Yotes!
Join us in supporting the Varsity, JV, and C Team this week
Tuesday:
- Varsity vs. Erie at 4:00 PM (HOME)
- JV @ Erie at 4:00 PM
- C Team @ Erie at 4:00 PM
Thursday:- Varsity @ Chatfield at 4:00 PM
- JV vs. Chatfield at 4:00 PM
Saturday:- Varsity @ Fairview at 11:00 AM
- JV vs. Fairview at 11:00 AM
- C Team vs. Fairview at 1:30 PM
Sko YOTES!
