Wheat Ridge senior Colton Dombroski, second from the left, is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game-winning run Saturday afternoon against Ralston Valley. The Farmers took a 5-4 victory for their third straight victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
WHEAT RIDGE — The saying “a walk is as good as a hit” rang true Saturday afternoon for Wheat Ridge’s baseball team.
Wheat Ridge freshman Abe Apodaca found himself at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, two outs and the bases loaded in a 4-4 tie against Ralston Valley in the non-league game at Everitt Middle School. Apodaca fell behind 0-2 in the count, but worked the count full against Ralston Valley junior pitcher Reed Hutchin.
Apodaca kept the bat on his shoulder on a 3-2 pitch that was called a ball. The Farmers’ dugout emptied to greet senior Cole Dombroski who scored the game-winning run in the 5-4 victory on Apodaca’s walk before mobbing Apodaca after he touched first base.
“It’s so great for Abe because it just hasn’t shown on the field,” Wheat Ridge coach Adam Miller said of his freshman that was 0-for-3 from the plate before the RBI walk-off walk. “You watch him during batting practice and he is one of our top two or three hitters. Every ball he hits in on a line, but he’s a freshman.”
Ralston Valley second baseman Caleb Squire (24) throws to first base after forcing out Wheat Ridge senior Willie Harris during the first inning Saturday. Squire had a great day offensively going 3-for-4 from the plate scoring two runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Mustangs lost 5-4. (Dennis Pleuss)
Apodaca’s patience at the plate allowed the Farmers (5-3) to win their third straight after dropping a pair of one-run losses to Heritage and Monarch to start the season. Ralston Valley (6-2) saw its three-game winning streak end with the loss.
“You don’t want to lose the game that way, but the fact of the matter is the guy (winning run) was on because of an error earlier in the inning,” Ralston Valley coach Robby Bales said. “That’s on us.”
Dombroski led off the bottom of the seventh inning reaching base on a throwing error. Hutchin, who came into pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning for starter Dalton Pribble, issued a pair of intentional walks during the inning but was still one out away of getting out of the jam and forcing extra innings.
“He (Apodaca) has been working hard every day. The whole team has really taken him in as one of us and like he has been here for four years,” Dombroski said. “Every player on the team had faith in him.”
Senior Nate Sanchez and Dombroski combined for four hits and three runs in the victory. Seniors Dante DeCarlo and Diego Garcia also had key RBIs for the Farmers.
Garcia has earned the trust of his Wheat Ridge teammates and coaches through the first month of the season. Garcia pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout in his last outing on the mound during the Farmers’ spring break trip to Arizona. The senior went the distance against Ralston Valley to pick up his second victory on the season.
“He (Garcia) just put the team on his back,” Dombroski said. “He has done that all season. He is constantly getting better. It’s been awesome to have him out there.”
Garcia gave up nine hits over the seven innings. He also had an RBI single in the third inning that tied the game at 2-2 after Ralston Valley jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
“He (Garcia) has been strong all season long,” Miller said. “It’s his year. It’s his senior year and he has worked hard to get to this point. He was really good.”
Miller admits he would like to see more out of his offense. The Farmers stranded eight runners in the first four innings. They also scored all five runs with two outs.
“We were better today offensively, but there is a lot left in the tank for us,” Miler said. “We haven’t had those six or seven guys step up and hit for us. It’s coming. When it does we’ll be really good.”
Senior Caleb Squire and junior Peter Carlson led Ralston Valley offensively in the loss. Squire and Carlson each went 3-for-4 from the plate.
Wheat Ridge has a busy schedule next week hosting a trio of games, starting with Fredrick (Monday) followed by Thornton (Thursday). The Farmers get into the swing of their 4A Jeffco schedule against Conifer on April 11.
“I think personally it’s the best 4A league in the state this year with Valor Christian, Littleton and Standley Lake coming in, then Green Mountain is the champs,” Miller said.
Ralston Valley has one more tune-up before beginning its 5A Jeffco conference schedule. The Mustangs host Valor, ranked No. 4 in 4A, on Tuesday. Ralston Valley opening league play at home against Columbine next on April 11.
Ralston Valley junior Peter Carlson, right, slides back into first base ahead of the tag by Wheat Ridge junior Myles Dolan during the non-league game Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss)
Wheat Ridge senior Diego Garcia throws to first base on a pick-off attempt Saturday against Ralston Valley. Garcia earned his second complete-game victory on the mound in the 5-4 win against the Mustangs. (Dennis Pleuss)
Wheat Ridge senior Dante DeCarlo slides into home plate as Ralston Valley catcher Gavin Schack waits for a throw during the third inning Saturday. The Farmers rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to eventually take a 5-4 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)