Bears finish 1-2 at San Juan Slugfest

Dolores baseball team destroys Monticello, 17-2

For the Dolores High School baseball team, the San Juan Slugfest tournament in Blanding, March 27-28, ended with mixed results.

Among the positives for the Bears was a 17-2 victory over Monticello High School on March 28 during which the Bears smashed 22 hits.

Stetson Hamilton, Jalen Balderama and Justin Purkat each drove in three runs, while Hamilton pitched four innings and allowed just one earned run.

Prior to facing off against Monticello, Dolores opened the tournament against San Juan High School on March 27 and lost 15-2.

Bears' ace pitcher Kellen Gatkze struggled on the mound, allowing five earned runs and 11 total runs in just three innings.

Hamilton had two of the Bears four total hits off of San Juan starting pitcher Baylr Eldredge, who dominated Dolores hitters throughout the game.

The Bears other game of the tournament came against Summit Academy on the afternoon of March 27 and Dolores lost 9-1.

Contributing to the victory were five errors by the Dolores defense, which allowed Summit Academy to plate four unearned runs.

Dolores hitters struggled throughout the contest, managing just six hits in 21 total plate appearances.

With its record now at 2-4 on the season, Dolores will wrap up its Spring Break with a home game against San Juan's junior varsity team on April 4. The game is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.