(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — Tanner O’Tremba is good at crushing baseballs. And as a result, Cherry Creek escaped the first day of the Class 5A state baseball tournament unscathed.
The sophomore outfielder belted a three-run home run to help the Bruins beat Grandview 6-1 in the late game at Bishop Machebeuf. O’Tremba also smacked an RBI double in Cherry Creek’s 5-3 with over ThunderRidge earlier in the day.
“We’re definitely a complete team,” O’Tremba said. “Everyone was to together and it’s really easy to do a job when you have a team out there supporting you in all aspects.”
O’Tremba could easily have been seen as a member of the Bruins’ supporting cast Friday. He went 3-7 on the day with six RBIs and the solo shot in the second game.
But it was the starting pitching that truly set the tone for Creek (17-6). Carter Van Gytenbeek was consistent in the first game, working himself out of jam in the fourth where ThunderRidge had runners on second and third with one out.
He did give up three straight hits to start the fifth, which helped the Grizzlies (15-7) pull even. They tied the game on a throwing error from third baseball Clayton Gill. Gill responded by hitting a solo home run in the top of the sixth to give the Bruins the lead back.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Against Grandview (17-6), Javis Steward was nothing short of dominant on the hill. At one point, he had struck out four consecutive hitters. He fanned 10 Wolves on the day.
“I was just trying to mix it up, keep them off guard and find my spots,” Steward said. “I was doing that pretty well today. My velocity was up, but hitting my spots helped me out the most.”
Cherry Creek will face Centennial League rival Cherokee Trail Saturday at 3 p.m. with the winner of the game in driver’s seat to win the Class 5A baseball title. That game will be played at All-City Field.
Bruins coach Marc Johnson knew all he needed from his team was for it to reach the playoffs. If that could happen, he knew the possibility existed for the Bruins to play their best baseball at the right time.
“Our season has been a roller coaster,” Johnson said. “Our whole goal from day one was to qualify and then try to play our best baseball in May. So far, knock on wood, we’ve played well enough.”
At All-City on Friday, the Cougars came away with two wins after beating Dakota Ridge 7-2 and Rocky Mountain 7-0. The Lobos had beat Mullen 5-1 in the first game of the day. Dakota Ridge and Mullen will play Saturday in an elimination game.
Grandview beat Ralston Valley earlier in the day at Machebeuf, meaning Ralston Valley will face off with ThunderRidge where the loser of that game will also be ousted from the state tournament.
Games begin at Machebeuf and All-City Field at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Class 4A
Valro Christian 10, Mountain View 7
Blake Donels hit a two-run double that proved to be the difference for Valor Christian in a 10-7 win over Mountain View.
The Eagles had beaten Windsor 10-4 earlier in the day and will play at All-Star Park Saturday. They’ll face Pueblo West with the winner grabbing control of the 4A baseball tournament.
Pueblo West 7, Delta 1
After beating Longmont in a 7-6 thriller, Pueblo West took the lead against Delta off a Josh Drury RBI single and never looked back.
The Cyclones will face Valor at 3 p.m. at All-Star Park.
Class 3A
Manitou Springs 10, University 9
Dominic Archuleta went 4-4 with two doubles and scored three runs as the Mustangs solidified their spot as one of the four 3A teams that will be alive next week.
Travis Struble hit a home run and got the win on the mound earlier in the day as Manitou beat league rival St. Mary’s. The Mustangs will face Faith Christian Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be played at Butch Butler Field.
Faith Christian 15, Kent Denver 5 (5 innings)
The Sun Devils could not ride the momentum of their upset over Eaton earlier in the day. The Eagles found themselves down 3-1 earlier, but their offense exploded to send them to Saturday’s 3 p.m. game against Manitou.
Class 2A
Paonia 7, Akron 2
Paonia broke a 2-2 tie late, then exploded for four more late runs to get the 7-3 win over Akron. With the win, Paonia advances to the 2A semifinals.
Limon 5, Hotchkiss 3
This one couldn’t be decided in seven inning. Limon scored two in extras to get the win, putting them in the 2A semifinals where’s play Paonia next weekend.