BRIGHTON — You had better believe in the Brighton Bulldogs.
Not only do the ‘Dawgs possess the quality pitching of Paxton Duran, but also a fearless hitting lineup.
The Class 5A No. 2-ranked Bulldogs (14-1, 7-0 East Metro League) trounced Rangeview 12-2 in six innings Tuesday, taking one step closer to claiming back-to-back league titles with two weeks left in the regular season.
“We had a lot on this game, and all week long at practice we talked about Rangeview,” Brighton coach Bob Gonzales said. “We needed that to continue on top of our league.”
The bats didn’t need to click early on. Rangeview’s defense gave Brighton the early advantage against thrower Stephanie Delgado. A leadoff walk was followed up by back-to-back errors, and loaded the bases for freshman catcher Kayla Michel.
A sharp single to center drove in two and was followed up later in the inning by Brianna Jackson’s single of the top of the left field fence.
“We wanted to get on them early, and that’s what we did,” said freshman catcher Kayla Michel, who, along with Jackson, drove in four runs. “We are excited and starting to believe in ourselves.”
After Rangeview cut the lead in half in the top of the second, highlighted by Haylee Fleck’s home run to center, Brighton responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame to all but seal the game.
“My girls play much better than what was displayed today,” Rangeview coach Yvette Hendrian said. “It’s all right, we’ll keep plugging, see what we can do, and concentrate on making it to the playoffs.”
The last major hurdle for Brighton comes Tuesday against crosstown rival Prairie View, a game that will ultimately decide the league title.
Rangeview 020 000 — 2 3 6
Brighton 430 005 — 12 10 2
Rangeview — Delgado p 3-0-0-0, K. Starkey cr 0-0-0-0, Harcrow rf 2-0-0-0, M. Starkey 2b 3-0-0-0, Bushman 3b 2-0-0-0, Fleck ss 3-1-1-1, Flynn c 2-0-0-0, Austin cr 0-1-0-0, Vargas cf 2-0-0-0, Fasci dp 2-0-1-1, Cameron 1b 2-0-1-0, Leek lf 0-0-0-0. Totals 21-2-3-2.
Brighton — R. Lopez rf 2-3-1-0, Ramirez cf 4-1-0-0, Duran p 4-0-2-1, Ellis cr 0-2-0-0, Michel c 3-0-2-4, Swink cr 0-3-0-0, J. Lopez ss 4-1-0-0, Sanchez 3-1-1-0, Jackson dp 3-0-2-4, Mc. Moats 1b 3-0-0-0, Ma. Moats 2b 3-1-1-0, Alarcon ph 1-0-1-1, Zweifel lf 0-0-0-0. Totals 30-12-10-10.
E — Flynn 3, Vargas, Bushman, Fleck; Mc. Motes, Ma. Motes. 2B — Michel. HR — Fleck (solo in second). SB — Austin; Jackson, Swink.
Batteries — Delgado and Flynn; Duran and Michel. W — Duran (8-1). L — Delgado (8-6). T — 1:42.
