Coach Blackburn Talks Blue Devil Baseball

We opened the season Monday March 9 at Fairview. There’s nothing like jumping right into district play! We had four outstanding days of practice but with 13 new faces to the roster we didn’t know what to expect this early. Well,the kids came out nervous but didn’t let it get the best of them. Cordell 12- Fairview 2. I was very proud of our effort and performance.

Junior left-handed pitcher Ryan Neeley got the start and what a start it was. He recorded the win while striking out 14 and throwing a no-hitter in 4 1/3 innings. He got tired and Raydon Kuehne came in and finished it recording one strikeout and one hit.

After moving to right field late in the game Neeley recorded the only defensive out with a catch to end the game.

At the plate: Dane Corbin 1B, Neeley 1B/2B- RBI, Brady Reimer 2-1B’s-RBI, Dawson Willard 2-1B’s-3 RBI’s, Parker Johnson 1B-RBI, Caden Murphy 1B, and Kameron Rivera 1B-RBI.

March 10 rolled in the home opener for 2020. We were really focused on not having a let down after Monday’s win. Fairview opened with one run in the top of the first but we responded with three in the bottom and never looked back. Cordell 18 - Fairview 1. I was happy to get all the kids in the game in some capacity and watch the excitement they had for each other. They are really coming together and thats exciting, especially this early with so many question marks coming in.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Dawson Willard showed great control of his pitches while picking up the win while striking out 10, walking none, and allowing only five hits.

Parker Johnson and Willard combined on a nice play at the plate to lead the defense.

At the plate: Corbin 1B, Neeley 1B, Shane Perkins 1B, Willard 1B/ 2-2B’s/ 5 RBI’s, Raydon Kuehne 3B-RBI, Johnson 1B/2 RBI’s, Adden Zanghi 2-1B/ RBI, and RIvera 1B/2B/3 RBI’s.

The Blue Devils are scheduled to host Blair Friday, March 20, at 1:00 p.m. and travel to Hydro Saturday, March 21, at noon.