THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Fruita Monument High School Athletics

Before the game, Fruita Monument baseball coach Ray McLennan told the Wildcats to look for opportunities. They found them in an opportunistic 12-4 victory over Grand Junction Central on Friday night in a Southwestern League game at Suplizio Field. "I thought we did a good job of forcing them to make plays, forcing them to make pitches," McLennan said. "We've been talking all year about having quality at-bats. We battled; we made things happen. That's what you want to do as an offensive team — put pressure on the defense." The Wildcats, with a youth-oriented lineup, took advantage of their first opportunity when sophomore Tucker Buniger doubled home two runs in the top of the second inning. They added two more runs in the third, taking advantage of three consecutive walks and hits by senior Brady Vidmar and sophomore Jacob Weaver. But Fruita Monument's biggest opportunity came in the extended fifth inning when the Wildcats sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs — on only one hit. Two Central errors, four walks and a pair of wild pitches contributed to the long inning. The Wildcats scored three more times in the sixth on a double from sophomore Andrew Lee and a single from junior Keenan Garcia. "We were able to get some timely hits, too," McLennan said. "Early in the game, it was back and forth; it was close. They're a good hitting team. Even at 12-4, you're not comfortable." Pitcher Carson Crone, however, tried to put his coach at ease. The Fruita senior pitched a complete-game victory, working out of trouble from start to finish. He scattered nine hits over his seven innings, striking out six. "That's the best game I've seen him throw in his high school career," the Fruita Monument coach said after Crone helped the Wildcats improve to 10-8 overall, 5-1 in the Southwestern League. "He had that squall or whatever blow through (in the sixth inning), but he did a good job getting back into a rhythm." After the Wildcats scored in the top of the sixth, the wind picked up at Suplizio Field sending food wrappers, wayward leaves and dirt devils swirling across the field. "That was kind of crazy," Crone said. "I'd have to step off because the wind was knocking me off the mound. Yeah, it was interesting. But we all battled through it." Crone pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, produced when Triston Nostrand and Koby Rubalcaba singled for the Warriors. Rubalcaba's hit drove home Nostrand. The inning ended on a ground out to Andrew Lee at third base. Crone had two more baserunners in the seventh inning before closing the game with back-to-back strikeouts. "They were both working great," Crone said of his fastball and curve. "I don't think I've ever had them that 'on.'" He credited catcher Buniger for his success Friday night. "We're throwing partners every day; it's a great connection," he said. Ryan Kirby led the Warriors with a triple and a single with one run scored and one RBI. Nostrand also had two hits for Central (8-11, 0-4 SWL). Cade Balleweg had a pair of hits for the Warriors, who played the final two innings without ejected head coach Chuck Yost.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Fruita Monument High School Athletics

FRUITA MONUMENT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO BEAT CENTRAL

DALE STRODE

Grand Junction Sentinel | 4/29/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Chancey Bush