GHS drops doubleheader to Montezuma-Cortez

The Gunnison High School softball team dropped two straight to Montezuma-Cortez on Saturday, Oct. 3, and fell to 7-14 on the season.

A week after sweeping their double-header against Meeker, the Cowboys were swept by the Panthers in Cortez. Montezuma-Cortez won the first game 13-3 and the second game 18-3.

In the first game, the Panthers won in five innings and the Cowboys finished with six hits and committed six errors.

After a scoreless first, the Panthers took a 9-1 lead in the second inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the next two innings, but the Panthers outscored the Cowboys 4-2 in the fifth to take a 10-run lead and enact the run rule.

Cameron Leonard had two hits and an RBI, Lauren Cowan had a hit and an RBI and Victoria Crown, Josie Vollendorf and Reese Japuntich each had a hit of their own. McKayla Singer had the Cowboys’ only other RBI.

On the mound, Japuntich gave up 13 runs (four earned) on 10 hits, struck out three and walked none in four and two-thirds innings.

The Cowboys dropped the second game in just three innings, finishing with five hits and committing seven errors.

The Panthers took a 7-2 lead after one, extended their lead to 12-2 after two and closed out the game with six more runs in the third after Gunnison added one more.

Vollendorf, Leonard, Singer, Brynn Romero and Cowan each recorded a hit. Singer’s hit was a two-run home run in the first inning. Romero had the girls’ only other RBI. 

Japuntich started once again for the Cowboys, giving up seven runs (one earned) on six hits while walking one batter in the first inning. Romero came in relief and gave up 11 runs (three earned) on six hits and walked two batters in one and one-third innings.

“Not the outcome we wanted, but we had some great plays,” wrote head coach Leslie diLorenzo. “We hit the ball well. One highlight would be the way Cameron Leonard hit the ball. McKayla Singer hit another home run. We also had some good defensive plays, including a double play and throwouts at the bases.”

The Cowboys will close out the season with two games this week. They’ll start by hosting Cedaredge on Tuesday, Oct. 6, then they’ll host Delta on Thursday, Oct. 8.