After an opening-season win over Dove Creek, the Dolores High School baseball team traveled to Farmington on to play Piedra Vista\u2019s junior varsity and did not fare as well.<\/p>\n
Second-year manager Rusty Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his team\u2019s early performances, however, and indicated that once his roster rounds into form, the Bears will be competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we played really well,\u201d said Hamilton. \u201cFor only being on the field a little bit this season, I was pretty happy with what we did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Offense keys win over Dove Creek<\/p>\n
Playing on the road against Dove Creek on March 16, Dolores relinquished an early lead before coming from behind to defeat Class 1A\u2019s top-ranked team, 12-8.<\/p>\n
Keying the Bears victory was the hitting performance of senior Stetson Hamilton, who went 3-5 at the plate with two doubles and four RBIs.<\/p>\n
\u201cStetson found his groove yesterday,\u201d said Rusty Hamilton. \u201cHe hit a ground-rule double that was really close to being a home run, and he had a solid day at the plate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also performing well in the Dolores victory was senior Kellen Gatzke, who started on the mound and pitched four scoreless innings.<\/p>\n
Dolores led 4-0 entering the fifth inning before Dove Creek scored five runs to seize a 5-4 lead. The Bears responded with seven runs in the top of the sixth inning, however, and held on for the victory.<\/p>\n
Junior Jalen Balderama, freshman Tel Hamilson and Gatzke all had two RBIs in the victory.<\/p>\n
Bears blanked by Piedra Vista<\/p>\n
Looking to follow up its victory with a road win over Piedra Vista\u2019s junior varsity team on March 17, Dolores was unable to score runs and lost, 10-0.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hit the ball, but Piedra Vista does a really good job at playing fundamental baseball,\u201d said Rusty Hamilton. \u201cI felt pretty good with our performance, but they just kept hitting the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madden started the game on the mound and pitched three innings. Junior Josh McCoy pitched two innings in relief.<\/p>\n
With their record now at 1-1 on the season, the Bears travel to play Shiprock on March 24 before travelling to Blanding, Utah, for the San Juan Slugfest on March 27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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