Rockies beat Reds, force a challenge
The Mission Rockies' Tyler Delaney slides into home with Ronan Reds catcher Dilan Starkel trying to put on the tag. The score was called back due to an umpire time out to discuss a play at second base.
ST. IGNATIUS — In local Babe Ruth tourney play, the Ronan Reds flawlessly batted their way to the championship game against the Mission Rockies. But the Rockies came out with a big effort on their home turf in St. Ignatius and took a 7-8 win to force a challenge game at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 22 in St. Ignatius.
The Rockies rallied behind pitcher Dillon Delaney for six innings and closed with Kolten Andrews at the mound in the final inning.
It was a defensive battle early and Mission managed to get out on top 2-1 through three innings. But the Reds struck back when it was their turn to bat in the bottom of the fourth.
A lead-off triple by Ronan’s Chris Clary paved the way for RBIs from Dalton Molzhon, Austin Durglo and Austin Reynolds. The streak put the Reds back on top, 4-2.
The Rockies owned the fifth inning. Dillon doubled for the team from Mission, scoring two to tie things up. Down two outs, Tyler Delaney smacked one out to the Red’s shortstop and headed up the basepath. In a contested call by the umpire, Tyler was called safe at first. Meanwhile, Dillon had scored to put the Rockies up 5-4.
In the top of the sixth, Andrews’ double helped the Rockies add two more runs to the lead.
Down 7-4, the Reds had some work to do. With runners on first and third, Durglo popped up a fly ball. With the tag up, Clary scored from third and it was a two-point ball game.
The Reds didn’t score again that inning, but made their way through the top of the seventh unrattled with a few strikeouts from closing pitcher Robbie Gauthier.
Gauthier was the near hero for the Reds again in the bottom of the last inning, when he dropped a ball in between fielders in near right field with two outs for a double and a run. Dilan Starkel crossed home plate on the play for the Reds after hitting a single. But Andrews finished things up from the mound for the Rockies and left the Reds a run shy of tying things up.
It was a real close game so today’s challenge match might be a real barn burner as well.