For the third straight season, an all-star team of players from Cortez, Dolores and Dove Creek has captured a Little League Baseball state title in Colorado’s senior division.
The 15- and 16-year-old players, who competed during the regular season on teams in the Southwest Colorado Little League, opened the state tournament against all-stars from Fruita Monument and won, 16-1. JJ Brunner started on the mound for the Southwest Colorado team and was credited with the win.
In its second game, the seniors beat a team from Arapahoe, 8-7. According to Southwest Colorado Little League President Tim Passell, a home run by Tristan York in the bottom of the fourth inning sparked a six-run comeback.
In the championship game, Southwest Colorado played against Arapahoe again and won, 15-4. Montezuma-Cortez High School standout Ty Blackmer started on the mound for Southwest Colorado and was credited with the victory.
The all-star team, which is coached by Brett Likes, advances to a regional tournament game against New Mexico’s championship team in Seguin, Texas.