Montezuma baseball fans had to be wondering what the Braves’ season-opening game against Colfax-Mingo would look like.
After all, four baseball starters were playing golf in the state tournament the two days prior to the Wednesday, May 24 opener at home.
Not to worry. Fans of both teams were treated to an end-of-the- season type pitching duel of a baseball game.
In an extra inning, the Tigerhawks pushed across a run in the top of the eighth and held on for a 2-1 victory.
Braves pitcher Owen Cook deserved a better fate after pitching seven-and-one third innings of one-hit ball, during which he struck out 17 batters and walked just two. He didn’t yield an earned run.
But Tigerhawk pitchers Colton Edwards and Cael Bracewell were tough, too.
The Braves got all four of their hits against starter Edwards, who went six innings and struck out nine. Bracewell struck out five and didn’t allow a hit.
Montezuma scored its run in the fourth inning when Colton Benson doubled home Luke Erselius.
The Tigerhawks tied it in the sixth, then scored the decisive run in their half of the eighth.
Montezuma made just two errors, while the Tigerhawks didn’t make any.
Broox Stockman went two-for-three for the Braves with a double, but was left stranded on base. Garrett Watts went one-for-four and had a stolen base.
Benson relieved Cook in the eighth. He walked a man and yielded one hit.
Montezuma’s performance was noteworthy for a reason other than state golf. The Braves won just one game all of last season. On Wednesday, they certainly showed the capability of doing better this year.
NEXT UP: The Braves host HLV on Friday, May 26.