As First Baseman Evan Walter continues to impress, TJ won its ninth consecutive league title over the week.
Pitcher Sam Reed on the mound. Photo by Ed Gloor
In the biggest matchup of the season, the Spartans took down the East Angels 2-1 after 6 1/3 strong innings from Sophomore Sam Reed.
Both TJ and East came into the game knowing the gargantuan stakes, because a TJ win would clinch the league title for the Spartans, and an East win would put them in first and prime position for the title. TJ’s defense came ready to play, only allowing one hit in the first five innings of the game. Reed helped himself in the second inning by driving in Shortstop Sean Kelley and giving TJ the 1-0 lead. TJ retained this lead until the sixth inning.
In the sixth, East put multiple runners on base and the Spartans were unable to convert a couple of easy ground balls to outs. With the bases loaded, East’s Ryan Michael hit a grounder through the right side to tie the game at one run apiece. After the hit, Reed made the biggest sequence of pitches of his life, striking out Max Prendergast and giving TJ a great chance to win the game. In the bottom of the sixth inning Senior second baseman Tyler Bybee and Reed were on first and third base with outfielder Tony Pacheco at bat. Pacheco was given the squeeze bunt signal, and attempted to put the bunt down to get the run in. Though he missed the ball, the East catcher Bryce Rudnick dropped it and the run scored. “I blocked (the catcher’s) eyes,” said Pacheco, “and luckily it worked out.” TJ turned a great double play to end the game, and clinched league. Head Coach Robby Bales showed great emotion by turning and hugging his coaching staff.
With league wrapped up and a playoff spot clinched, TJ looked to play spoiler for the rest of the season. It first started against the Northglenn Norsemen where Walter hit his fourth grand slam of the year, and the Spartans were victorious 14-7.
TJ was relentless against Northglenn, scoring in five of the seven innings and all the runs came in multitudes. Northglenn was unable to respond to the great TJ bats and had to use four pitchers, none of them able to go more than three innings. TJ’s Brandon Gonzales got the win on the bump for the Spartans, and TJ got one of the better non-league wins of the season. After this meeting with the Norsemen TJ played rival George Washington, who was looking to get a playoff spot of their own.
George Washington pitched their star player, Tony Yachovetta, but was still ten-runed by the Spartans and another grand slam came off the bat of Walter.
TJ started the game quickly at All City Field, scoring four runs in the first inning. Walter hit his 10th home run of the season to jump-start the Spartans and put the Patriots away very quickly. George Washington refused to give up, and scored three quick runs on the Spartans over the next three innings to make it a close game. The TJ lineup didn’t let the Patriots breath though, by scoring ten more runs, and Walter hitting his grand slam in the seventh inning.
TJ has swept league for the ninth straight year and also brings the ninth straight league title. The Spartans are now playing their best baseball when it matters most. TJ’s next game in on Saturday, May 5 vs. Prairie View at Prairie View High School.
Mar. 8 L vs. Golden 10-4
Mar. 10 W vs. Gateway 16-3
Mar. 13 W vs. Aurora Central 19-0
Mar. 17 L vs. Creek 10-0
Mar. 20 W @ South 15-2
Mar. 22 L @ Ralston Valley 15-10
Mar. 23 W @ Denver West 21-9
Mar. 30 L @ Eaglecrest 7-4
Apr. 4 W vs. Lincoln 15-5
Apr. 6 W vs. Kennedy 15-5
Apr. 9 L @ Lakewood 14-0
Apr.10 W vs. Montbello 6-3
Apr. 13 vs. L Standley Lake 1-0
Apr. 16 @ W Denver North @ 12-4
Apr. 20 vs. W Denver East @ 2-1
Apr. 24 @ W Northglenn @ 14-7
Apr. 27 @ W George Washington @ 14-4
May 5 @ Prairie View @ 11 a.m.
May 7 vs. Mountain View @ 4 p.m.
