Mustangs win baseball opener

Ponderosa and Northglenn baseball teams gave their fans a lot to cheer about during the March 15 non-league baseball game played at Coors Field. The game was tied 5-5 at the end of regulation play and then the Mustangs put together walks, aggressive base running and timely hitting in the top of the eighth inning, scoring as many runs in that inning as they scored in the previous seven innings to win the game, 10-5. “We are a little inexperienced this season. We have 11 seniors on the roster but only three of them were starters, but the other seniors are good players who can help us a lot,” Mustangs Coach Bob Maloney said before the game. “Since this is our first game of the season we will be going to get some guys playing time so we can settle in on our starting lineup.” He said the team will have good depth, the pitching will be a team strength and the Mustangs will play good defense. “We will be a little behind the curve on offense, at least at the start of the season,” the coach said. “We will be looking to play small ball and manufacture runs.” Key moments It was a well-played baseball game. Ponderosa held a 5-3 lead and needed three outs to win the game. But Northglenn rallied and scored a pair of runs to tie the score at 5-5 at the end of regulation, which sent the game into extra innings. Austin Narro led off the top of the eighth for the Mustangs with a double. Eight Mustangs got on base in the inning, and hits by Ty Wilson and Reece Hall drove in four runs and a fifth run scored on a wild pitch as Ponderosa put up five runs. The Mustangs held Northglenn scoreless in the bottom of the eighth and won the game, 10-5. Key players/statistics Mason Bennett had a good day at the plate for the Mustangs as he went three-for-four with a double and two RBIs, plus he scored twice. Joe Maxie was one for three and his hit was a double that drove in a pair of runs, while teammte Reece Hall went two-for-five and his double sent two Mustangs across home plate. Phil Emmett was the starting pitcher. He pitched four innings, gave up seven hits and three runs and struck out six. Ty Wilson came on in relief and threw two scoreless innings. He was followed to the mound by Reece Hall who got the win as he took the mound in the seventh inning, pitched two innings and gave up three hits and two runs. They said it Senior Mason Bennett said it was a very special experience to get to play baseball at Coors Field. “I was a little nervous before the game,” he said. “I did hit the ball well today and that was special for me.” The outfielder said he feels his defense is his strength. He said at bat he basically a singles hitter because he doesn’t have a lot of power. “I did get a little nervous when Northglenn tied the score,” Bennett said. “But we put things together to get the runs we needed to win the game.” Going forward Ponderosa had one more game on the local schedule before hitting the road to take part in the Coach Bob Invitational Baseball Tournament in Phoenix that runs from March 27 to April 1. The annual event draws about 100 high school teams from 10 different states and this year there are teams from 10 states and 21 Colorado teams are taking part in the competition. The Mustangs will play four games starting March 27 against out-of-state teams from Idaho, California and Arizona plus one more not on the schedule yet.