DOVE CREEK – The ‘Dogs entered the spring season with plenty to learn, but the good news is that for most of the roster, they’ll have four years to nail it all down.
Second-year head coach Chris Beanland welcomed in a fresh crop of players this season, many of whom return to the game after over a year away from the diamond.
“Most of our freshmen didn’t get a season last year because the club program was U13, and they were 14, but they’ve come out ready to play,” said Beanland.
The trial by fire is well underway, and with over half of the roster composed of players from the Class of 2029, Beanland holds plenty of optimism for the months ahead, while also knowing that there’ll be plenty of work along the way.
“We want our kids to get down the fundamentals, just knowing what they’re supposed to do and thinking before each pitch,” added Beanland of the learning curve, “we want to start with the mental side and then let the experience develop everything else.”
In their final season in 1A District 1 before another CHSAA realignment changes the landscape, will actually get to face off against all six of their district foes – a significant departure from years when the Bulldogs just played a couple teams – including plenty of games against their closest rival Nucla – prior to facing unknown opposition in the district tournament. The variety of district play, composed mostly of schools from the San Luis Valley, gives the youth movement plenty of new pitchers to face as they hone their game.
The Bulldogs (1-2) feature five upperclassmen, including their two seniors Josh Kibel and Trevan Ivie, to usher in the next era of Dove Creek baseball. Juniors Konner Spigner, Clayton Smith, and Cael Beanland were all regular contributors for a team that finished 9-10 last spring. Both Spigner and Beanland batted over .400 while finishing second and third on the team in hits. Ivie and Kibel also reached base at a better-than-. 500 clip, meaning that the ‘Dogs possess plenty of pop to cause problems for opposing defenses.
Add to the mix freshman Kycen Gritz, who leads the team in RBIs and stars on the mound through the early stages of the 2026 spring, and the Bulldogs could be a major force in their district pursuits. Braxten Huskey and Destry Blair are among the many Bulldog freshmen looking to make their mark.
“We recognize that there’s going to be mistakes – this is baseball – but we’re wanting our guys to pick each other up,” said the Bulldogs skipper.
The Bulldogs didn’t show any signs of intimidation in their season opener, toppling Shiprock 10-5 to get the ball rolling. Gritz led the way with three hits from the top of the order, while he, Smith, and Spigner all collected multiple RBIs.
“We want our kids to be ready to hit the first pitch that they like,” said Beanland, “and the kids showed that in our first game.”
Dove Creek opens up their home schedule on Tuesday, Mar. 31 when Ignacio pays a visit to the Soper Sports Complex, followed by a home doubleheader against Monticello four days later. The ‘Dogs face off against Dolores on Apr. 7 before matchups against district competition get into high gear on Apr. 10 with matchups against Sierra Grande and Sargent. The Bulldogs also meet Centennial and Center on Apr. 24 before wrapping up the regular season with a big home twin bill against Nucla on Apr. 27.
