For the first time this season, Eagle Valley will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will challenge the Rifle Bears at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Eagle Valley is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 9.5 runs per game this season.
While Eagle Valley didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Weld Central two weeks ago, sneaking past 8-6. The Devils haven't had any issues with the Rebels recently, as the game was their third consecutive victory against them.
Hudson Rozga
| 03/27/26 vs Weld Central | 2 |
| 03/24/26 vs Grand Junction Central | 1 |
| 03/25/25 @ Grand Junction Central | 1 |
| 03/14/25 vs Alamosa | 1 |
Hudson Rozga was a major factor no matter where he played. He struck out six batters over 6.1 innings while giving up five earned runs off five hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two triples, one run, and one RBI. Those two triples gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Eagle Valley got a massive performance out of Colter Blakey, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double. Blakey is becoming a predictor of the Devils' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Xander DeHerrera, who went 2-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
Eagle Valley always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .529. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Weld Central only posted an OBP of .382.
Meanwhile, Rifle was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their eighth straight defeat dating back to last season. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 9-8 heartbreaker at the hands of Aspen.
Like Eagle Valley, Rifle also got a great game from a two-way player: Remington Decrow. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. Decrow was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-2 with two RBI and one run.
In other batting news, Tyler Arnold was cooking despite his team's loss, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI. Kale Potter was another key player, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Rifle's loss dropped their record down to 0-7. As for Eagle Valley, their record now sits at 6-2.
Rifle's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Eagle Valley has been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.9 hits per game. It's a different story for Rifle, though, as they've been averaging 9.3 hits. Given Eagle Valley's sizable advantage in that area, the Bears will need to find a way to close that gap.
Eagle Valley came out on top in a nail-biter against Rifle when the teams last played back in April of 2025, sneaking past 13-12. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Devils since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
