Feature Photo by Aaron Braun: Senior Thomas Rutherford pitches the ball. Rutherford will have the ball Saturday when the Raiders take on Pine Creek
By Aaron Braun, Reporter
Entering the playoffs as a heavy underdog vs. Pine Creek, the no. 1 team in the state tomorrow, Rangeview’s baseball team under the command of Brian Gausman has produced the best record since the 2011 team lead by Mike Hamilton. At the end of the regular season the boys finished with a record of 12-7. Three of these losses came from league games.
“We know it’s a big game and we are prepared,” Rutherford says,” lets go schock the state and show them we deserve better than the 32 seed.”
In the past few years Rangeview was ranked low when it came to league play. This season they finished third in league. Recently, the Raiders had high hopes and were on track to take home the league title. Unfortunately, Northglenn had another idea; after a hard fought seven innings the Raiders fell short in the crucial league game. After suffering their second league loss, the chances of league champs were diminished.
The day after the loss to Northglenn, Rangeview faced off against Prairieview and lost a close game 3-0. The Thunderhawks scored their the first, and only, three runs in the game in the first inning. They were then held to six scoreless innings with senior Thomas Rutherford taking charge on the mound. Although pitching was outstanding, the bats were cold. The Raiders had five hits throughout the game, but they couldn’t manage to come at the right time.
In preparation, Rutherford says,”He (coach H) has me working on my mechanics, and I’ve seen results.”
On Saturday, Rutherford will be the starting pitcher. He has pitched a total of 26 inning he has acquired 17 strikeouts.
His teammate first baseman, senior Zach Sheppard shares Rutherford’s thinking.
“Everyone in the state is looking down on us because we are the 32nd seed,” he said. We want to “shock the state.”
Starting catcher, Andrew Cooper, and starting left fielder CJ Peacock are the two youngest players on the team. Both sophomores say they are approaching the game like it’s another game.
Peacock says, “ I don’t get nervous.”
Tomorrow’s game will be on the Pine Creek campus in Colorado Springs at 10 a.m.
