For 5½ innings, the Montezuma-Cortez High School baseball team stood toe-to-toe with a tough Delta High School squad that sported a 6-2 record overall and a pitching staff that has been extremely tough this season.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, however, the Panthers finally gave ground as Delta scored three runs in the frame to set itself up for what would end up being a 4-1 victory on its home field on March 30.

While M-CHS hitters were held mostly in check throughout the contest by Delta’s senior pitchers, Andrew Baier and Eli Farmer, Travis Beason, Korie Likes and Carson Yoder all registered hits for the Panthers.

M-CHS’ lone run came in the top of the fourth inning when Yoder doubled to drive in sophomore Ernie Padilla, who had walked earlier in the inning. Panthers hitters struck out 13 times over the course of the contest.

On the mound, M-CHS was led by hard-throwing junior Preston Davidovich, who allowed three earned runs on six hits over six innings of work. Davidovich registered two strikeouts and walked two Delta batters.

With the loss, M-CHS’ record dropped to 4-2 on the season. The Panthers’ next game will take place at home against Aztec High School on April 4.