With its offense now clicking after early season struggles, the Dolores High School baseball team has become a force to be reckoned with.
Playing on the road against Nucla on April 7, the Bears smashed their way to a 14-2 victory in five innings.
Guy Wallace had four hits and six RBIs in the victory, and starting pitcher Kellen Gatzke allowed just two runs in route to a complete game victory.
"We just came out firing," said Dolores manager Rusty Hamilton. "We're helping our pitching by getting runs in the first few innings. That makes a pitcher's job a whole lot easier."
Continuing their torrid hitting at home against Ignacio on April 11, Dolores scored five runs in the first two innings and never looked back in route to an 11-3 victory.
Stetson Hamilton started the game on the mound and allowed 2 earned runs in five innings. Gatzke pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
On offense, the Bears were led by Tel Hamilton, who came through with two hits and two RBIs. As a team, Dolores cranked out 14 total hits.
"Right now, we're hitting really well," said Rusty Hamilton. "Our team batting average is in the .300 range and we're hitting consistently throughout the order. We're getting the timely hits as well."
With its record at 4-4 on the season, Dolores will prepare for a key matchup against Dove Creek in Dolores on April 16.
"Our biggest goal for the rest of the season is to not be over-confident since we've played all of our league opponents and beaten them," Rusty Hamilton said. "We just have to focus on winning one inning at a time."