GC Elite powers to opening-night win

Garden City, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-When Lyle Befort’s team walked off the field following a disappointing 8-7 loss to Newton in last year’s AAA Legion State Tournament, they knew that they had just scratched the surface of their full potential. That’s a scary thought for a squad that finished 27-10. 

Just ask Dodge City’s AA legion team that saw just how potent the new Garden City Elite can be-succumbing to the defending zone champs in a two-game sweep 18-0 and 10-0. 

“These were two very good games,” Befort said. “We played extremely well.”

In game one, Garden City (2-0) used an early blitz to put the game away. Logan Dechant’s triple in the first scored the game’s first run. Then catcher Thomas Solorio ripped a run-scoring single followed by a balk that allowed two more to come across. 

The Elite put the contest away in the bottom of the second-plating fourteen runs while sending 13 batters to the dish. Solorio slapped a run-scoring double; then he scored on a passed ball. Mario Montoya’s RBI single and Martin Terrazes’ two-run double busted it open. Derek Cook also drove in a run as did Jacob Rivas. 

Befort got a strong outing from Mario Montoya, who allowed just one hit while striking out seven in three innings of work. He also knocked in two of the 18 runs. 

In the finale, Garden City scored eight runs in the first and coasted from there. They sprinkled in a run in the second and a run in the fifth-completing a five-inning run rule. 

Daven Acker fanned twelve while allowing just one hit in five innings.

“I was just trying to throw strikes,” Acker said. “I was really pleased with my breaking ball tonight.”

Elite pitching yielded just two hits in two games-completing a dominating night on the hill. 

Jacob Rivas finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs in game two. 

“He’s part of that missing puzzle piece,” Befort said afterwards. “Him and Solorio.”

Those two guys weren’t in uniform for the Blues last summer, but their presence in the lineup already has paid huge dividends. 

Next up: Garden City Elite vs. Hugoton-Wednesday, June 4-6 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Box Scores: game 1 vs. dodge | game 2 vs. dodge