Entering the Class 2A Regional Tournament ranked 16th, the Dolores High School baseball team faced tall odds.
Overcoming the odds proved to be impossible as the Bears suffered a first-round loss to Resurrection Christian High School, 10-0.
Playing in Pueblo on May 16, the Bears kept things close early in the game as starting pitcher Kellen Gatzke limited the state’s top-ranked team to two runs over the game’s first five innings.
“(Kellen) was pretty solid,” said Bears manager Rusty Hamilton. “We hung right with them. They had a few good hits, but didn’t let that rattle us.”
As Gatzke starred, the Bears offense never got going, thanks in large part to impressive pitching by Resurrection Christian.
Entering the sixth inning trailing 2-0, the Bears yielded eight runs, falling behind 10-0 to end the game.
Even with the tough loss however, Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his team’s results.
“I couldn’t be more happy,” said Hamilton. “The kids played well. We are losing four starters next year, but I think we have kids who can come in and fill those holes.”
Overall, the Bears finished the year with a 9-11 overall record.
Resurrection Christian is 20-3 on the year and will play in the second round of the regional tournament later in the day on May 16.
