Jordan Ernst (8), pictured during last season’s 1A title game. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
Dove Creek’s Jordan Ernst faced 15 batters against Primero last Friday. He struck out all 15.
It was the first no-hitter (and perfect game) of the season for Ernst, a 5-foot-9, 154-pound junior. The 15 strikeouts also topped his previous high of eight, which came just three days before.
Dove Creek, last season’s Class 1A baseball runner-up, beat Primero 21-0 in the District 1 playoffs to move to 9-12 this season. Primero finished its season 5-4.
The win sent Dove Creek back to the 1A regional/state bracket, though the Bulldogs will enter as the second team out of District 1. Nucla beat Dove Creek in the district title game later in the day.
Ernst, meanwhile, is now 7-1 this season with a 3.99 ERA. He’s also hitting .514 with 18 RBIs this season.