CORTEZ – A different group might have folded under the pressure after falling behind by four runs in a high-stakes regional title game.
Not these Panthers.
Stoked by a lineup full of upperclassmen – many who had played prominent roles during the last M-CHS foray to the state tournament – No. 7 M-CHS turned a 5-1 deficit into an 11-6 victory over No. 10 Elizabeth at McAndrew Field in Cortez on Saturday, sparking scenes of jubilation for the hundreds of fans lining the backstop in support of their home team.
A five-run fourth inning for M-CHS flipped the script, before the Panthers tacked on four more runs in the fifth and an additional tally in the sixth. Senior pitcher Seth Oakes threw the final four innings for the Panthers, shutting down the visitors and allowing the M-CHS bats to have their say.
Junior second baseman Darren Daves sparked the Panthers rally in the fourth inning, as M-CHS (21-4) peppered the ball to all reaches of the outfield on their way to wrestling the momentum away from the Cardinals (19-6).
The entire starting lineup collected productive at-bats as the parade of Panthers punished Cardinals pitching – even before the runs started to come.
“We just chipped away,” said Panthers first-year head coach Jake Huff, “our boys didn’t have any quit in them today. We hit a lot of balls hard today, and while they weren’t falling in the first few innings, our guys were making great swings.”
Senior Samson Lein, who collected three hits in the regional semifinal, added four more knocks in the regional final win, including a pummeled triple to right center to plate sophomore Jaiden Istenes and give M-CHS some insurance in the seventh.
Oakes, meanwhile, kept the visitors off balanced with his mix of fastball and curveball, while the infield gobbled up chances. “Seth (Oakes) is one of several leaders on this team, and we were confident that he was going to be able to get it done for us,” said Huff of his senior southpaw.
“Coach just told me to go out there and do my thing,” said Oakes, “and I want to thank my defense – they were catching everything.”
“Seth was hitting his spots extremely well, and that was a big reason why he did so well,” added Carver.
Panthers first baseman Jaris McDonald corralled everything thrown his way as junior shortstop Cory Carver and the M-CHS defense snuffed out Elizabeth threats in the latter innings.
“It’s great when the ball is hit to anyone, and we know they can make the play – it’s all routine at that point,” said Daves.
Elizabeth scored four runs in the top half of the first inning, and even though M-CHS was able to scratch one back in their half of the inning, it was clear that the Panthers would have their hands full. The Cards added one more in the third inning against Lein, who started the regional final, before Oakes came on in relief and the entire contest tilted in the Panthers’ favor.
“We were low on energy through the first few innings,” said Carver, “but once we got that spark from Darren (Daves) got on base, we were able to get rolling from there.”
Sophomore outfielder Michael Krupa tallied a pair of hits, while junior center fielder Parker Conrad drove in two runs.
The Panthers extend their winning streak to 13 straight – they haven’t lost in over a month – and they head to the state tournament with one of the most potent offenses in the classification, having scored at least seven runs in each of those victories.
In action earlier in the day, M-CHS downed No. 26 Jefferson Academy (6-18) by a 9-3 final, while Elizabeth eliminated No. 23 Liberty Common, 9-1, to advance to the winner-take-all final. M-CHS sophomore Connor Rosenbaugh twirled a completed game gem, shutting out the Jaguars through six innings while striking out 10 batters to collect the win in the opener.
“Everyone contributed in some form today – it was a team effort – 100 percent.” added Huff before Carver chimed in, “We trust that everyone in the order and on the bench can go out there and get it done.”
“It was awesome to have the support that we did,” said Daves of the massive home support, “it’s really brought the community together.”
M-CHS will look forward to a trip to Greeley for the second time in three years, as they’ll learn their path to a 3A championship when the double-elimination state tournament bracket is officially released by CHSAA.
