Idalia – Maybe the best pitching matchup in Colorado this side of Coors Field occurred for a while Thursday afternoon.
In front of assorted college and professional scouts, Dylan Hochevar and Wray outlasted Scott Cure and Idalia 4-2 in a Class 2A-1A nonleaguer that featured two of the state’s most live arms.
Hochevar, who has signed with Tennessee and will follow in the steps of his brother, Luke, a former Volunteers star now in the Kansas City Royals farm system, went only two innings because it was his scheduled bullpen day. The Eagles, who improved to 11-5, are readying for postseason play on the upcoming weekends and are trying to take advantage of warmer conditions to have their ace ready.
“I’m getting my legs and my second wind,” Hochevar said. “I feeling fresh and am just excited to see where this team can go.”
The right-hander faced seven batters, hit one and struck out five, including the side in the second inning.
On the other side, Cure, a left-hander who suffered his first loss of the season in four decisions, went the distance. Throwing mainly in the low-80s mph, he struck out 16, walked three and permitted only two hits.
“I really didn’t hit my spots, I was struggling with control a little,” said Cure, who is considering Regis and Trinidad State among his college choices, in addition to awaiting the draft in June.
Said Hochevar: “(Cure’s) a great pitcher and we were able to scratch out a few runs against him. Getting a win here is good.”
Wray took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Heath Fecht walked, stole a base, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.
Idalia went in front 2-1 in the third on a walk, an error and singles by Lucas Devlin and Cure, but that was it for the Wolves in dropping to 8-3.
Wray put it away with three runs in the fourth, the highlight a two-run single by Ben Reinick.
“We just made too many mistakes,” Idalia coach Jim Rittenhouse said.
Wray’s Tim Kerbs came on for Hochevar in the third, earned the victory and got relief help from Tyson Jay.
“Dylan’s throwing really well and that’s a good sign,” said Wray coach John Cure, a cousin of Scott’s.
Wray 100 300 0 – 4 2 1
Idalia 002 000 0 – 2 4 3
Wray – Fecht cf 2-1-0-0, Orr ss 2-1-0-0, M. Kerbs c 3-1-1-0, Reinick lf 3-1-1-2, Hochevar p-2b 3-0-0-0, Probasco rf 3-0-0-0, Travis 1b 3-0-0-0, Helling 2b 2-0-0-0, Jay 3b-p 3-0-0-0, T. Kerbs p 0-0-0-0, Berghuis ph 0-0-0-0. Totals 24-4-2-2.
Idalia – Devlin cf 4-1-1-0, Rittenhouse ss 3-0-0-0, Cure p 2-0-1-1, Blankenship cr 0-0-0-0, Collette rf 3-0-1-0, Richards 2b 3-0-0-0, Ramseier 1b 3-0-1-0, Wade lf 3-0-0-0, Castillo 3b 2-1-0-0, Terrell c 3-0-0-0. Totals 26-2-4-1.
E – Jay, Cure, Terrell, Castillo. LOB – Wray 3, Idalia 5. SB – Fecht, M. Kerbs, Terrell, Travis, Ramseier, Berghuis. Caught stealing – Travis.
2B – Collette.
Batteries – Hochevar, T. Kerbs (3), Jay (5) and M. Kerbs; Cure and Terrell.
W – T. Kerbs (2-0). L – Cure (3-1). WP – Cure 2. PB – Terrell. Balk – T. Kerbs. HBP – Cure (by Hochevar). T – 2:06.
