If there was any doubt, consider Rocky Mountain’s Lobos as Transformers.
These guys take turns turning into whatever the current big-school baseball dynasty requires to keep it going.
If it’s not a front-line prospect such as Pierce Trumper ripping the ball all over the field or making plays at shortstop, it’s a seldom-used pitcher like Chris Bonk, who went a strong 4 1/3 innings Saturday as the Lobos whipped Regis Jesuit 12-2 in six innings in the Class 5A championship series at All-City Field.
If it’s not Marco Gonzales, J.T. Leidholt and Luke White bashing home runs to send the three-time defending titlists into the final weekend of play for a chance at a fourth straight title, it’s Chris Roglen driving home a run or Bryan Matz handling the pitching staff.
The Lobos (22-2) know how to spell C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E.
“One through nine, we’re obviously deep in the lineup and everyone does their part every day,” Trumper said. “And even if someone doesn’t do their job, someone (else) is going to come through. It’s our job.”
And they turn it into an adventure for the opposition, including Regis Jesuit (17-7), which threatened early, then became another victim to the Rocky Mountain wave.
“We got behind in the counts,” Raiders coach Steve Cavnar said. “(The Lobos are) a good club. They outpitched us, outhit us and they pitched strikes, took advantage of whatever opportunity they had.”
Rocky Mountain put it away with a five-spot in the sixth inning, paced by Leidholt’s three-run homer, and Bonk at one point sat down 10 Raiders in succession.
“He’s the best kid in the world who always works hard and is prepared,” Lobos coach Scott Bullock said.
Earlier, Ralston Valley showed its mettle by downing Grandview 10-8 and Mullen 13-2 after learning Nate Jurney, a member of the 2008 4A title team, had succumbed to cancer Friday night.
“A lot of people have been inspired by his courage, the way in which he tackled cancer,” coach Shane Freehling said.
The coach said his players were stunned by the news, but proudly played through it.
