Las Animas Trojans Weekly Sports Report, March 31, 2014

Expectations were fairly high for the Las Animas baseball squad, as the Trojans opened the season ranked #10 in the CHSAANow.com Class 2A poll. Things looked good for the team as they opened two weeks ago with a win over Monte Vista (14-4) in the La Junta tournament. However, that was followed up by losses to Pagosa Springs (8-6) and 3A #5 Valley (22-4) in that event. Throw in two more losses to #5 Limon (10-4 and 20-3) on March 22, and the Trojans were suddenly looking at a 1-4 record heading into last week’s action.

Las Animas hit the trail to Burlington last Friday, and despite allowing a run to the Cougars in the bottom of the first, the Trojans were on top 3-1 heading into the bottom of the second. Burlington answered the three runs scored by Las Animas in the top of the frame with three of its own to regain the lead. That was followed by another three-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth and the Cougars were back in control, 7-3.

The Trojans got one back in the top of the fifth against Cougar starter Ryan Miller, and then they touched a freshman reliever for two in the top of the seventh to make things interesting, but they ran out of outs and lost a 7-6 decision. Josh Japhet went two for four at the plate, with one run scored and two RBI.

It was back on the road again for the Trojans on Saturday as they traveled to face #8 Peyton. Las Animas got the quick start, pushing a run across the dish in the top half of the first, but that would be all of the offense they would muster on the day. They were held to one run on four hits by a trio of Panther pitchers. Peyton got all of the offense it would need in the bottom of the second, striking for six runs in the frame. The Panthers would add three in the fourth and two more in the fifth as they run-ruled the Trojans, 11-1.

With their record now standing at 1-6, the Trojans will open Santa Fe League play on Saturday. Las Animas will visit Fowler, 5-1 on the season, for a doubleheader. The Trojans will then be off for a week, next seeing action the following Saturday against Crowley County.

By Kerry Sherman

Colorado high schools for Colorado Preps. Kerry is in his third year of streaming high school sports online for Colorado Preps, and this is his 23rd year of covering high schools for various print and online outlets throughout Colorado. He also has nine years of coaching experience, with the boys basketball programs at Woodlin and Otis.