(Stephen Priest/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — Any lingering doubts about whether Denver North is the real deal in Class 4A should be extinguished.
The Vikings are an offensive juggernaut and validated that narrative Tuesday as it was the fourth consecutive game they’ve dropped double-digit runs on an opponent, beating Durango 13-2.
The No. 8-ranked Vikings (5-0 overall) are currently on a three-game run of beating teams via the mercy rule, and continued the streak even though the bats didn’t get off to a hot start.
Tuesday night offered up a unique set of circumstances as inclement weather led to a delay, while the game was also played across Speer Boulevard at the Regency Athletic Complex belonging to the Metropolitan State.
However, the Denver North players seemed to have no problem swapping a home game to play a neutral contest at the facility, which features a turf field which is more resilient to wet weather.
Prior to the third inning, the game seemingly crept along as neither team could keep command of their, pitches leading to full counts constantly. The game advanced to the bottom of the third with the advantage going to Durango (2-5) leading 2-1, putting the Vikings in an unfamiliar position.
“I just told the guys the game wasn’t even close to being over and they just have to respond when something negative happens and that there is a lot of game left,” Denver North coach Ernesto Marquez said. “They’ve been working hard all year, we’ve been working hard on the mental side of the game all offseason and it’s paying off.
The tide would ultimately change quicker than Colorado weather.
Behind the bat of senior Daniel Gurrola, who started things off with a double to right-center, Denver North rattled of five runs in the bottom of the third.
Gurrola went 3-for-4 on Tuesday, scoring once, but made sure to deflect credit for himself and heap it on his squad as a whole.
“My mentality tonight was just win, with my team,” Gurrola said. “I don’t really focus on my hits or my personal stats. I just want to help my team win and at the end of the day the ‘W’ is all that matters.”
Durango managed to slow down some of that offensive momentum from Denver North, but failed to answer back in the top of the fourth. And the slug-fest for the Vikings would continue in the bottom half.
They not only managed to bat through their batting order, but forced two pitching changes in the same inning as the Demons couldn’t find the strike zone. In addition, sloppy throws, numerous walks, and continuous hits to the outfield gaps did Durango a defensive disservice.
Denver North notched seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a commanding 13-2 lead going into the top of the fifth. The Vikings closed the game out after retiring the Demons in order.
When asked about the explosive offensive start to the year, coach Marquez had nothing but praise for his veteran squad.
“The guys are player-motivated and self-driven, they’re the hardest group I’ve ever coached,” Marquez said. “It’s to the point where I don’t have enough time to practice with them because they want to practice 24/7. It’s not uncommon that I see a guy hitting at the park by himself with a tee. It’s just the hard work that those guys have put in all offseason that had paid off.”
The Vikings will look to continue their winning streak as they take on Pueblo East on Thursday, while Durango will face Pueblo Central.