Niwot baseball returns to the diamond

Following an over two-year wait, the Niwot baseball team began its 2021 campaign with three games in three days. Although Niwot went winless, the Cougars possess a core of improving talent.

Niwot's opener came on May 6 at Severance. After Niwot scored five runs in the top half of the third inning, Severance regained the lead with seven in the bottom half and held on for a 10-7 victory.

Senior Micah Sheats got the start on the mound and was pulled during the rough third inning. Offensively, senior Mason Nieberger went 3-for-4 with two RBI's. Freshman Brooks Barber and senior Dylan Olson also each hit a double.

Head Coach Adam Strah's Cougars were initially scheduled to open up at home on May 4 against Frederick but it was postponed until May 7 due to rain. With little time to dwell on the previous day's loss, Strah was impressed with the increased effort despite another close loss, 5-3.

"It was a big step forward today compared to last night," Strah said.

Not many Cougars were able to square up Frederick pitcher Chase Prestwich, who struck out 15 in six innings. Niwot had its opportunities to score but left eight runners on base.

Sheats, who is committed to play baseball at Bates College, shined with an RBI double in the first inning and a single in the fifth. Following a walk, an error and another walk, Niwot loaded the bases in the fourth inning. Junior Jack Brooker brought one run home on a single and senior Josh Strid drove in another run on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at three.

Frederick, under new head coach Colin York, Niwot's pitching coach last season, began the fifth inning with three hits that led to two runs and its ultimate 5-3 lead.

With the memory of a lost 2020 season still fresh, the return to play is cherished.

"No matter what the outcomes are, it feels so good to be playing again," Strah said. "(The) home game on Friday just felt great. I think the kids feel that too."

Strah remained optimistic following the loss and took it as a learning opportunity for the Cougars. "You're either going to win or you're going to learn, and I think that's what we're doing," he said.

Another positive came from two strong pitching performances from seniors Dylan Olson and Hayden Morford. Olson started the Frederick game and allowed two earned runs in three and two-thirds innings. He was pulled in the fourth for Morford who allowed two runs in the fifth but later retired the final nine batters he faced.

"They (Olson and Morford) kept us in the ballgame," Strah said. "That's what you have to do when you have a kid (Prestwich) that is throwing that hard... You need somebody on the mound that's going to keep you close and they did that."

Including Olson and Morford, 10 seniors grace the Niwot roster and have been producing through three games. On the younger side, sophomore Jed Kilpatrick fielded three ground balls at third base and junior Nick Yard got the fourth inning rally going with a walk.

Niwot ended its busy opening week on May 8 with a 13-1 loss at Riverdale Ridge. Once again, Strah said the drive was there.

"All week, I have never questioned the boys' effort," Strah said. "I know they want to put the work in to clean up the mistakes and the challenges that we have."

Strah said he feels confident with his pitching staff but would like to see the offense put the ball in play more consistently.

Weather permitting, the Cougars will be at Northridge on May 11 before returning home on May 13 against Mountain View.