Gunnison High School defeated during Diamonds in the Rockies

Gunnison High School took on the Arkansas Valley Bandits 8-3 on June 13 while competing in their second game of the Diamond in the Rockies tournament at Jorgensen Park. 

The Cowboys started slow, going scoreless in the top of the first, falling back on pitcher Reese Japuntich to lead the defense. The Bandits leadoff batter saw four balls and was brought home by a single and two-RBI triple from her teammates. The Bandits tacked on another run before a pop fly caught by shortstop Josie Vollendorf and two Japuntich strikeouts. 

In similar fashion, the top of the third ended swiftly with another scoreless Gunnison inning. With the pressure mounting on the Cowboys they quickly turned two outs while keeping the bandits at 3-0. The girls' momentum was then brought to halt as a mix-up between umpires took away the crucial strikeout call. The Bandits capitalized on the second chance and crossed home once more before Gunnison got another out. 

Lauren Cowan stepped into the batter's box first for the Cowboys, knocking a single into center field to start the top of the third. After another Cowboys single from Taylor Schroeder and stolen base Cowan took home after a missed throw down to third. Haley Smith drew a walk putting runners on first and third, forcing the bandits into a pitching change. Down 2 outs an unfazed Vollendorf smacked an RBI line drive into left, bringing the bandits within reach at 4-2. The first half of the inning saw its third out soon after and Japuntich was back on the bump. Despite a strong defensive effort the Bandits clinched an additional two runs in the third. 

Lauren Cowan stepped into the batter's box first for the Cowboys, knocking a single into center field to start the top of the third. After another Cowboys single from Taylor Schroeder and stolen base Cowan took home after a missed throw down to third. Haley Smith drew a walk putting runners on first and third, forcing the bandits into a pitching change. Down 2 outs an unfazed Vollendorf smacked a RBI line drive into left, bringing the bandits within reach at 4-2. The first half of the inning saw its third out soon after and Japuntich was back on the bump. Despite a strong defensive effort the Bandits clenched an additional two runs in the third. 

The fourth and final inning was led early by Japuntich starting with a single into right and a pair of later stolen bases. Victoria Crown brought her home with a ground ball lasered past first base. The Cowboys inning was concluded with a play at second base and three strikes. The bottom of the fourth inning was arguably the Bandits best with two runners putting together strong at-bats and making their way to second and third base. With runners in scoring position the bandits delivered the final blow with a triple off the back fence solidifying their victory over the Cowboys 8-3. 

Gunnison had three total teams compete in the tournament with the 12U girls winning their last pool play game in nail-biting fashion against the Diamond Dogs, the 14U found success in pool play against the Diamond Dogs while Gunnison high school could only tie the La Junta storm despite several gritty and close games. The 14U girls take on Salida at home at 4 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25.