By Ben Rossi

Batters Box went into Monday’s matchup against the Spradley Collegians looking to make a climb in the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League standings. As a team that has put up strong scoring performances in their victories this season, they were seeking a strong outing from a starting pitcher. They got one from JC Watne.

Watne allowed just one run and one hit while striking out seven in five innings of work. He was working his fastball effectively on the outside corner and was perfect through four innings.

“I had to make a mechanical adjustment in the first inning but after I did that it was really good” said Watne. “Fastball was a good out pitch for me today and then later on in the game changeup.”

Watne got run support early, starting with small ball in the bottom of the first and concluding with a three-run opposite field home run by first baseman Danny Wisor to make the score 4-0.

Centerfielder Frank Shearn capped off a big three-hit day at the plate with a two-run RBI triple down the left field line in the fourth, to make the score 6-0. A lightning and rain delay would postpone the game and eventually lead to it being called after five innings of play. Batters Box emerged victorious 6-1.

Part of what kept Batters Box together during this successful win was their team chemistry.

“Hackysack all day, that’s what you gotta do,” said Watne on what kept the team loose in the rain delay.

Batters Box looks to be riding a successful wave as they followed Monday’s win with a doubleheader sweep of the Denver Generals on Wednesday.