By Taylor Deutscher

In a fast-paced game, the Alpine Cowboys (16-13) defeated the Garden City Wind (8-21) in a 3-2 victory. Garden City threatened a comeback, earning their two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but could not quite pull off the win.

Both teams remained scoreless after six innings, but Alpine put a run on the board as they scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the seventh.

The Wind welcomed two new faces to the team, Edgar Munoz and Albert Gonzalez. Brandon Cooksey made the transition from player to first base coach after breaking his hand in the second inning Wednesday night.

With two out and no runners on in the fourth, Gonzalez knocked the ball into right center for a double. Larry Rodriguez stepped up and hit a single up the right side. Scrambling to score the first run of the game, Gonzalez rounded third and headed for home. He was called out at the plate as Cowboy right fielder Jarret Young launched the ball to the catcher, where he was set and ready for Gonzalez.

Dylin Brooks made an incredible catch in left to end the top of the eighth, saving at least one more Alpine run from scoring.

Garden City battled in the bottom of the ninth. Down 3-0, Cody Ellis got the momentum rolling with a single to right center. That was followed by a double down the right field line by Gonzalez. Rodriguez scored Ellis with a groundout to second, and Tyler Lundgren sent Gonzalez in with a sacrifice fly to center.

Matt McCormick (0-4) finished his best outing of the season with one run, six hits and two strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched. McCormick picked off two runners in the game.

Alpine starter Kevin Klaess (3-1) picked up the win, shutting out the Wind with eight hits and five strikeouts.


Garden City has a chance to split the series with Alpine with wins on Friday and Saturday. Both games will start at 6:30 at Clint Lightner Field.