The Rye High School baseball game with #1 ranked Limon was cancelled due to high winds but that didn’t stop the Thunderbolts from solidifying their #2 position in the polls with a doubleheader victory over Las Animas in the friendly confines of Greenhorn Meadows Park.
Rye won the games 11-5 and 15-1, moving their record to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the Santa Fe League. In the opening game the visitors led Rye 3-2 into the bottom of the 5th inning. But Rye erupted for nine runs in the 5th and the 6th to grab the win.
“The first game started a little slow,” shared Head Coach Clay Klipfel. “But we broke it open in the 5th and 6th with nine runs. The team didn’t panic and just grinded until we broke it open.”
Ben Compton picked up the win on the mound, working six innings and not giving up an earned run. Compton struck out three and walked a pair. Compton also drove in a pair of runs at the plate with two hits, both doubles.
Aydin Swald went three for four and also drove in a pair of runs. Joe Valdez stole three bases and Taye McCauley was a perfect nine for nine in the field.
Brock Benz picked up the victory in the second game. Benz, like Compton, did not allow a single earned run while walking two and striking out 10. Benz has not given up an earned run this season.
Rye scored seven runs in the first inning, in a run rule shortened game. Brandon Benz had three hits including a double and Valdez drove in six runs with two hits. One of those was an inside the park home run.
McCauley had four of the ten stolen bases by the Thunderbolts and in the field handled five chances without an error.
The rematch with Limon has been rescheduled for the 24th. Friday Rye travels to John Mall for a double header.