Jorgensen Park hosted the Diamonds in the Rockies tournament, featuring two Gunnison teams competing in the U14 and U12 brackets on June 13-15. Despite home field advantage, both Gunnison teams exited the tournament without a win.
The Gunnison U14 girls first matchup took place on Friday against the Diamond Dogs of Craig Colorado. Kylie Robbins started the first inning on the mound for Gunnison, and put away the Diamond Dogs leadoff batter. However, after a handful of defensive errors and stolen bases, two Diamond Dog runners snuck across home.
Gunnison was quick to respond with Brynn Romero punching a double into center field to start the inning After loading the bases, Gunnison scored four total runs, with two coming from Audrey Amer, who walloped a two RBI single to right.
The second inning started promising for Gunnison, but after securing their first out, the wheels fell off for the girls. The Diamond Dogs regained the lead with a three RBI triple after walks and stolen bags loaded the bases. In the bottom of the second, Gunnison fought back and loaded the bases. Then, Susan Espinoza took the plate and drove home two runners to tie the game 6-6 heading into the third and final inning.
With Romero taking the mound for Gunnison in the final inning, the Diamond Dogs went to work, and snatched the lead. After loading the bases with an RBI single and double, the away side extended their advantage, 9-6. In Gunnison’s final stand, both Robbins and Audrey Amer got on base, but couldn’t reach home. The Diamond Dogs cemented the win at 9-6.
“The girls have learned a lot this season,” said coach Anna Galowich. “They learn more every game.”
Across Jorgensen Park the following day Gunnison's U12 team took on the Montrose Warhawks in another three-inning clash. Gunnison fell behind in the first two innings, and allowed 13 runs to score while going scoreless themselves.
In the third and final inning, pitcher Hanna Bryja took over on the bump, but Montrose maintained a steady offensive pace, finishing the top of the third at 24-0.
But Gunnison returned with a fury, as both Parker Spann and Hanna Bryja got on base. Emma Stanley then smoked a sacrifice RBI to secure Gunnison's first run. With two outs, Gunnison’s bats sprang to life, and Abby Willis and Hazel Fitzgerald loaded the bases. Despite scoring four more runs, the comeback came a little too late for Gunnison, and the girls fell 24-5.
Both teams finished the tournament without a win, and lost in the first round of the competition. Gunnison's U14 team lost to the Grand Junction Mavs, while the U12 girls fell to the Arkansas Valley Bandits. Both teams will be back in action on June 18 at Jorgensen Park.
(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or intern@gunnisontimes.com.)
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