The Denver Christian Thunder will venture away from home to take on the Rye Thunderbolts at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
Denver Christian is headed out to face Rye after opening their season at home and giving their fans just what they were looking for. Denver Christian's pitcher stepped up to hand Buena Vista a 12-0 shutout on Tuesday. The win was familiar territory for the Thunder, who have now won 20 games in a row dating back to last season.
Mason Reilly
| 03/18/25 vs Buena Vista | 14 |
| 06/01/24 vs Limon | 4 |
| 05/24/24 vs Dayspring Christian Academy | 0 |
| 05/24/24 vs Monte Vista | 13 |
| 05/18/24 vs Crowley County | 7 |
| + 5 more games |
Mason Reilly made a splash while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 14 over five innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBI and one triple.
In other batting news, Patrick Elson was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing Three bases. while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Caleb Stork, who scored three runs while going 2-for-3.
Denver Christian always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .533. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Buena Vista only posted an OBP of .125.
For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Rye and Rocky Ford meet (four straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Thursday. Rye was the clear victors by a 12-0 margin over Rocky Ford. The Thunderbolts' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Branson Burbidge was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in May of 2024. He was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other pitching news, Derek Taylor looked comfortable as he tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Rye let Pierce Burris and Wyatt Scheid run wild. Burris scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in all four of his plate appearances, while Scheid scored two runs and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-3. Burris also put up an RBI, which was his first of the season. Another player making a difference was Cody Dodge, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Denver Christian might still be hurting after the 11-0 loss they got from Rye when the teams last played back in April of 2015. Can Denver Christian avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
