Columbine senior Austin Anderson slides into third base on a successful steal attempt during the second inning Saturday as Dakota Ridge third baseman Doug Case waits for the throw Saturday at Frank DeAngelis Field at Columbine High School. The Rebels took a 13-3 victory in both teams’ regular-season finale. (Dennis Pleuss)
LITTLETON — Columbine junior Michael Tait set the table nicely and then cleaned up in the end Saturday at Frank DeAngelis Field.
The Rebels’ leadoff batter reached base and scored three of his first four plate appearances against rival Dakota Ridge in the baseball regular-season finale for both Class 5A Jeffco teams. Tait ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run home run that induced the 10-run mercy rule, ending the game with Columbine taking a 13-3 victory.
“Going out there and playing well today, having a good performance means a lot,” Tait said after the fourth straight win for the Rebels, ranked No. 3 in the final CHSAANow.com 5A baseball poll.
Columbine senior Tyler Mohr takes a look at a high fly ball Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss)
Columbine (18-1, 7-1 in league) cranked out 15 hits against Dakota Ridge (10-9, 5-3). The Rebels showed their depth at the plate with each of the first eight batters in their line-up recording an RBI.
“When they are focused they are a fun team to watch play,” Columbine coach Chuck Gillman said of his offense.
Along with Tait, senior Austin Anderson had three hits for the Rebels. Junior Cody Wood had a pair of doubles while knocking in two runs. Senior Tyler Wood drove in three runs and senior Donny Ortiz had a two-run home run in the fifth inning to add to Columbine’s offensive barrage.
“We decided today we needed to step up and get ready for playoffs,” Ortiz said. “This is our year to get to that state championship. It’s what we’ve been working toward.”
On the mound, Columbine senior Blake Weiman quickly shook off giving up a three-run home run to Dakota Ridge sophomore Bailey Collins in the top of the first inning that gave the Eagles an early 3-0 lead.
“That was rough. I left a pitch up,” Weiman said of Collins’ home run. “You have to have a short memory as a pitcher.”
Weiman settled in by retiring 13 straight Dakota Ridge batters from the end of the first inning through the fifth inning in pitching a complete-game victory. He picked up his sixth win of the season on the hill. The lefty struck out seven while giving up six hits over six innings.
“I credit Blake. He threw a great game,” Dakota Ridge coach Jeff Legault said. “He never throws anything really hittable. He nibbles on the corners and keeps you off speed. He was on today.”
The Rebels’ lone loss this season was a 4-3 defeat to league champion Arvada West on April 21. Columbine finished second in the conference.
Columbine will very likely host a district tournament May 10. Two victories next weekend will put the Rebels into the eight-team double-elimination state tournament.
Columbine senior Blake Weiman throws to the plate Saturday. The lefty had a rough first inning giving up a three-run home run, but quickly bounced back in picking up his sixth victory on the mound this season for the No. 3 Rebels. (Dennis Pleuss)
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Weiman said of next week’s district tournament. “Everyone wants to be there in the end. I think we just have to stay calm and just play us. We’ve got a couple of big games coming up. We’ve just got to stay focused and mentally strong.”
The one downer for Columbine on Saturday was a right knee injury to senior first baseman and clean-up hitter Kyle Lopez. Collins collided with Lopez on a pickoff attempt at first base in the sixth inning and had to leave the game.
“Kyle has been one of my best friends for 10 years,” Weiman said. “I hope he is alright.”
Dakota Ridge will join the field of 32 teams in the postseason next Saturday thanks to a strong finish in conference play.
The Eagles had a rough stretch losing five straight games coming out of spring break, including beginning their conference scheduled with an 0-2 start. Dakota Ridge surged back into the postseason picture with five straight victories over a 10-day period heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale against Columbine.
“I like where we are at. I like us against everybody,” Legault said. “I think there are four or five really good teams in our state. After that I think it’s open for anybody to get in.”
Columbine junior Cody Wood eyes a hit during the fifth inning Saturday. Wood had a pair of doubles as the Rebels cranked out 15 hits in a 13-3 victory against Dakota Ridge. (Dennis Pleuss)
Dakota Ridge second baseman Ty Lightley (5) tries to get a tag on Columbine junior Michael Tait during the second inning Saturday. Tait scored four runs and knocked in a pair in the Rebels’ 13-3 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)