The Shiprock Chieftains bounced back from their loss to Dolores on Wednesday, securing a dominant win over Dove Creek in the Bulldogs' season opener on Friday.
After a strong start by Dove Creek, Shiprock’s offense took control, and the Chieftains closed out the game 19-6 after the top of the fifth inning.
Sophomore Jeramyh Begay led Shiprock on the mound, striking out 13 batters and allowing just six runs and six hits throughout the game. He also contributed offensively with a .667 batting average. Senior Khalil Nakai matched his batting average, scoring three runs and playing a key role in the victory. Junior Taylor Hale also added three runs to the tally.
For Dove Creek, sophomores Cael Beanland and Konner Spigner were standout performers. Beanland recorded five strikeouts on the mound, while Spigner added two. Offensively, both players scored two runs and posted a batting average of at least .500.
Dove Creek started strong, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. However, Shiprock responded with a nine-run outburst and never looked back.
Begay minimized Dove Creek's offensive opportunities by striking out the first batter in two of the three innings he pitched. He was supported by a flawless defensive effort, as Shiprock maintained a perfect fielding percentage throughout the game. Senior Antonio James led the defense with 13 putouts.
Chieftains head coach Alfred Baer credited the strong pitching as a key factor in their win over Dove Creek and emphasized the team's goal of continuing to improve all aspects of their game.
“We got great pitching from Jeramyh. He did a tremendous job for us,” said Baer. “He threw a complete game for the win. We’re working to get our defense and offense to match our pitching.”
Dove Creek struggled to respond, striking out 13 times in total. Beanland started strong but faced challenges in the third inning when he threw several balls. The Bulldogs called a timeout, and Spigner took over the pitching duties.
In the bottom of the fourth, Shiprock extended their lead with a 6-0 run, aided by deep hits and stolen bases. Dove Creek catcher Frankey Montoya allowed several passed balls, leading to six stolen bases for Shiprock, which ultimately helped them extend their lead to 19-5.
Despite Spigner scoring a run for Dove Creek in the top of the fifth, the game was effectively sealed when Begay struck out three consecutive batters to close out the game early.
Dove Creek head coach Chris Beanland noted that the team is still in the process of adjusting, with several players returning from their winter sports seasons and others coming back from injuries.
“We just need more team practices,” Beanland said. “We’ve only had three full-team practices so far. We also need more game experience, but I think we’ll be a good team once we get going.”
Looking ahead, Shiprock will host Monument Valley on Monday before traveling to face New Mexico Military Institute on Thursday. They will then host Hozho Academy on March 24, Zuni on March 25, and a doubleheader against Navajo Prep on March 28.
Dove Creek will look to secure their first win against league rivals Nucla at home on Tuesday before traveling to Ignacio on April 1 and Monticello for a doubleheader on April 4. They will host Dolores on April 8 and Sargent in another doubleheader on April 11.
