The Rye High School baseball team got a pair of much needed wins on the road as they swept a double header at Las Animas 13-4 and 13-0.
In the opening game the Thunderbolts started slow, trailing the home team 2-1 after four innings. But in the 5th, they scored four times and added eight more runs over the last two innings for a convincing victory.
“We started out slow and were struggling early,” shared Head Coach Stacey Graham.
“But we finally began producing.”
Aydin Swald scored three runs, had a pair of hits and stole two bases in the victory. Riley Rochester had two runs batted in and stole two bases. Joe Valdez and Axton Ehrlich also drove in two runs apiece and Xaden Ehrlich drew three walks.
All told Rye stole 10 bases and Graham said the aggressive baserunning was on purpose. “We started so slow I was trying to do anything I could to manufacture runs.”
Axton Ehrlich played perfect in the field, handling five opportunities and getting four put outs and one assist.
Rye committed three errors while Las Animas was plagued by nine errors.
Riley Rochester got the victory. Rochester worked 6 1/3 innings. He gave up three hits and one earned run.
Rochester fanned eight and walked four. Brandon Benz finished up the game.
In the second game Rye jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back.
Blake Walton had three hits and drove in a pair of runs.
Taye McCauley drove in two runs and had a triple.
Rochester stole three bases and Valdez had a double.
Five Thunderbolts scored twice each.
Will Hamler handled 11 chances in the field, had 10 put outs and one assist. Rye had four errors and Las Animas had five in the contest.
Aydin Swald got the victory. Swald pitched 3 2/3 innings.
He gave up five hits and no earned runs. He struck out nine and walked three.
Valdez and McCauley finished up the game.
“Our pitching is pretty deep,” assessed Graham. “We have a lot of guys who can make a big difference on the mound.”
Rye traveled to Monte Vista on Monday and tangled with the #6 Pirates. Rye is currently ranked #9 in 2A.
Results of that game will be in next week’s paper. On the 6th Rye hosts Swink in a double header. Swink currently sits at #17.