Kirtland Central splits doubleheader with Taos

KIRTLAND, N.M.

The Kirtland Central baseball team proved their capability when they split a double-header with Taos High School on Tuesday. KC won the first game 6-5 before losing 6-4 in the second.

The second game came to a close after only five innings because of darkness but the first was one the team took pride in.

Taos and Kirtland Central (5-6) were tied 3-3 for eight innings in the first game before Taos brought in two runners in the ninth and Kirtland Central followed up with three runs at the bottom of the inning to clinch the win.

Kirtland Central head coach Bryan Wardroup said it was a game that showed the heart of his team.

“To get down two runs there in the ninth and fight back, with not even the meat of our order up to bat and to string those hits together… it’s an incredible win for the team, its an incredible win for the program,” he said. “It’s just turning the page in the program, beating a good quality team.”

Wardroup said Taos was seeded No. 6 in Class 4A and his team was No. 12. Last season, when the two met they also split.

But Wardroup said leading into the games he was confident that his team would push for two wins instead of the one.

“What I talked to them about is how we’ve improved as a team this year and how we need to have confidence in ourselves that we can beat these good team,” he said. “And we proved that today.”

One of the players who did show improvement was sophomore Bryson Dowdy who had the game-winning RBI in the first game.

Wardroup said it was a positive step forward for Dowdy and the team.

“He struggled at the plate this year. We’ve made huge mechanic changes to his swing,” he said. “For him to come in and get the game-winning RBI…I think that’s huge for him and his confidence as well.”

While the Broncos weren’t able to see if they could pull off another late win in the second game, Wardroup said he was excited about the progress his team has made.

“With the things that we focus so hard on at practice, to finally see them transfer it into a game situation; that’s huge,” he said. “As a coach there’s nothing that will make you more proud.”

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