Enthusiastic crowds gathered across Cortez to send their best wishes to the Montezuma-Cortez baseball team on a bright and early Thursday morning.
This marks the second time in three years that the Panthers have returned to Butch Butler Field in Greeley, and community support was strong. Parents gathered in the main parking lot of M-CHS as the team prepared to load the bus.
The Cortez Police Department, Fire Protection District, and other first responders led the procession. The M-CHS band played as the Panthers made their way from the school’s front entrance to the bus. Seniors Brady Dale, Bobby Likes, and Samson Lein followed in style, arriving in a sleek black vintage Porsche to trail their teammates to the end of West Main Street.
Although Dale, Likes, and Lein will join their teammates at the tournament on Friday, they will first cross the graduation stage at M-CHS on Thursday evening.
The Panthers face a tough path in their side of the state tournament bracket, opening against No. 4 Resurrection Christian in the first round. Their half of the bracket also features top-seeded University, which will play No. 8 Valley.
Despite entering the tournament on a 13-game winning streak and carrying a regional title, Dale said the Panthers plan to stick with the team-first mindset that has driven their success all season.
“What else are you going to do than go out and play your best, and try your hardest,” Dale said. “You can’t worry about what you’re going to do than just go and do it.”
Dale also recognized the support from the community, particularly the parents who have showed up all season.
“Big thanks to all the moms who’ve been helping us out and all the people who cheer us on and supported us. The games are always packed which we appreciate,” he said.
Head coach Jake Huff said he’s seen his team, especially the upperclassmen, embrace leadership roles and lead by example.
“Our top guys have been leading and performing by example. On and off the field. We had a number of kids get academic all-state,” Huff said. “Our seniors and juniors have stepped up.”
Junior Cory Carver leads the team in nearly every offensive statistical category, with fellow junior Darren Daves close behind.
On defense, junior Parker Conrad has been a steady presence, appearing in all 25 games with a perfect fielding percentage and 37 putouts. Cory Carver has matched that consistency with 25 appearances of his own, recording a .962 fielding percentage and 43 putouts. Senior Samson Lein has also played a key role, contributing in 23 games with a .889 fielding percentage and 18 putouts.
Individual efforts have been matched by community backing, and Huff said he appreciates how Cortez has supported the team throughout the season.
“This community has embraced our baseball team and they’ve shown up when we’re at home and even show up when we’re on the road,” said Huff. “The support we received has been outstanding.”
The Panthers play in first round action against Resurrection Christian on Friday at noon and if they win, they continue into the second round to play the winner between University and Valley at 2:30 p.m.
