Highlights from Wednesday’s high school sports scene around the Pikes Peak region.
BASEBALL
Palmer Ridge 5, Sand Creek 4
At Sand Creek: Palmer Ridge (1-0, 1-0) rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to erase a 4-2 deficit against the Scorpions (0-2, 0-1) in a 4A Pikes Peak League game.
The seventh-inning offensive outburst saved a potential waste of a tremendous effort by Palmer Ridge pitchers Kurt Larson and Jake Weems after the pitchers combined to limit Sand Creek to just two hits.
Larson (1-0) was credited with the victory on the mound after he struck out three and allowed no hits in 2? innings of relief.
Weems started for Palmer Ridge and kept Sand Creek in check by striking out nine Scorpions – who scored all four of their runs (three unearned) in the fifth inning. He surrendered just two hits and issued three walks, in 4? innings.
The 6-foot-1 senior also went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and two runs.
Keenan Morgan suffered the loss for Sand Creek, which received its two hits via singles from Zach Keaton and Ryan Ebbens.
Falcon 9, Vista Ridge 5
At Vista Ridge: Falcon (4-0) may not have scored in double digits for the fourth consecutive game, but the Falcons used a nine-run, 10-hit performance to remain undefeated.
Starting pitcher Jeff Vela did plenty of damage for Falcon. Not only did the junior blast the first home run of his high school career, but Vela (1-0) also struck out a season-best 11 batters and held Vista Ridge to one unearned run on no hits and three walks.
Falcon improves to 2-0 in 4A Pikes Peak League play after sweeping this week’s home-and-home series against the Grizzlies. Falcon previously defeated Vista Ridge 17-0 on Monday.
In two games against Vista Ridge, Vela was 2 for 4 with five RBIs, four runs, a double and a home run.
No stats were reported for Vista Ridge.
Pine Creek 4, Rock Canyon 3
At Rock Canyon: Pine Creek (2-1) scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to earn a nonconference road victory.
Rock Canyon relief pitcher Justin Sauer (0-1) got charged with the loss after being tagged for three runs on four hits in one-third inning.
Quinn O’Neil picked up two of the Jaguars’ five hits.
No stats were reported from the Eagles.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE
Rampart 16, Cherokee Trail 4
At Cherokee Trail: Rampart (5-1) won its fourth consecutive game as Lexi Alford scored six goals and assisted on another to hand Cherokee Trail (2-1) its first loss of the year.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Thompson Valley 11, Cheyenne Mountain 5
At Thompson Valley: Cheyenne Mountain (2-1) allowed a season-high 11 goals as the Indians suffered their first loss of 2014.
Sam Sheridan had two goals and an assist, while Casey Rothstein chipped in with a goal and two helpers. Sheridan has 12 goals in three games.
Nate Robledo made seven saves for Cheyenne Mountain, but the Indians could not control the Thompson Valley attack, which is averaging 10 goals.
It is the first time this season the Indians have allowed double-digit scoring and failed to score more than 10 goals.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Vista Ridge 0, Fountain-Fort Carson 0
At Vista Ridge: The Grizzlies (2-3-1) fired 17 shots against the Trojans (0-4-1), but could not find the back of net and had to settle for a scoreless draw.
Yasmeen Hack led a stout Vista Ridge defense that stifled the Fountain-Fort Carson offense to just three shots in the 100-minute contest.
No stats were reported for Fountain-Fort Carson (0-4-1).
The Classical Academy 2, Peak to Peak 0
At TCA: The Classical Academy (1-3) ended a three-game losing skid thanks to goals from Mikayla Murphy and Hannah Burgo.
Scoring has been hard to find in the early going this season for the Titans, who have produced only five goals.
Sarah Buzzetta (40 minutes), Ashlynn Register (35 minutes) and Courtney Griggs (5 minutes) shared goalkeeping duties for the shutout.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Cheyenne Mountain 7, Pine Creek 0
At Pine Creek: Cheyenne Mountain swept the action on the road in convincing fashion against the Eagles.
The Indians received straight-set victories by all three of their singles players – Kalyssa Hall, Daniela Adamczyk and Jessica Metz. Cheyenne Mountain also picked up wins courtesy of their double tandems: Casey Ahrendsen/Ally Arenson (6-0, 6-1), Claire Dibble/Megan Dibble (6-2, 6-0), Tory Louis/Chelsey Geisz (6-0, 6-1) and Tatumn Mika/Rachel Perry (6-0, 6-2).
JUSTIN FELISKO, THE GAZETTE
Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov, left, of Russia, goes up for shot as Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith covers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)