Montezuma-Cortez and Bayfield appeared to be on a collision for the title since the early moments of 3A Intermountain League play this season. Both programs upheld their end of the bargain this weekend, as M-CHS and Bayfield stayed perfect in league play to set up a crescendo to the regular season.
M-CHS (17-3, 6-0 3A IML) extended its winning streak to 11 straight with a comprehensive thumping of Centauri on Friday, topping the Falcons 14-2 and 9-0. Bayfield (15-3, 6-0 3A IML), meanwhile, upped its unbeaten streak to eight with a sweep of Pagosa Springs, setting the stage for Saturday, May 13, at McAndrew Field in Cortez for a doubleheader to decide the league champion.
Pitching again was the star of the show for the Panthers in the San Luis Valley, as M-CHS allowed seven total hits between the two wins over Centauri (8-13, 0-8 3A IML).
Add to the dominance, M-CHS struck out 18 combined batters in the 13 innings required to pick up the sweep. Meanwhile, the offense scored in 12 of the 13 innings against Centauri, banging 25 hits in a relentless attack to keep the Falcon pitchers off-balance.
The M-CHS/Bayfield bout promises to be one of the highest-profile matchups in the state in the final weekend of the regular season. While both teams are assured a spot in the state bracket, the stakes in play include an opportunity to host a regional pod. Top eight seeds in the RPI/MaxPreps rankings would claim those hosting rights.
Bayfield sits No. 4 in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index, while the Panthers check in at No. 6 heading into their 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. meetings on Saturday, with both teams featuring high-powered offenses ready for what should be a highly entertaining duel in Parque de Vida.
Dove Creek picked up a crucial win in the District 1 tournament to assure the Bulldogs of another trip to the 1A regional round.
The ‘Dogs belted Centennial, 12-0, to advance to the district title game, where Nucla turned Dove Creek’s district title bid away in a 6-4 nail-biter at Ignacio High School.
Head coach Trent Daves’ squad picked up the win over the Rams in the opening round by playing small ball – the ‘Dogs collected six hits, but also drew six walks and ran rampant on the Rams – stealing 14 bases. The offense proved to be plenty for starting pitcher Gage Buffington, who struck out 14 batters, in a five-inning no-hitter. Junior Aiden Chadd drove in a pair of runs, joining older brother Audric with multiple hits in the win.
The win set up the fourth meeting between Dove Creek and Nucla this season, and after toppling the Mustangs the previous three times, Nucla got revenge through a strong pitching performance from junior Steele Arnold.
Each team posted three runs in the first inning before the pitchers seized command of the game. Dove Creek starter Hunter Daves matched Arnold pitch-for-pitch into the middle innings, but Nucla scratched across runs in the second and third to take a 5-4 lead.
Freshman Trevan Ivie pounded a pair of doubles for the ‘Dogs, but Dove Creek couldn’t find the tying run in their final four opportunities at the plate as the Mustangs took the district title.
Dove Creek will learn their regional assignment early this week, and will head to one of four regional locations to play in the single-elimination regional pod, trying to earn one of four 1A state qualifying spots.
