PUEBLO – Moments like this aren’t supposed to happen for high school freshmen.
Denver Christian’s Drew Morris didn’t get the memo.
Morris smashed a run-scoring line drive past Platte Valley center fielder Jeremiah Molinar vaulting the Eagles to a 1-0 win in 10 innings Friday afternoon powering DC to the Class 2A state championship game Saturday.
“I’m blessed to just have this opportunity to be on varsity and get this chance, especially at state,” said Morris, who was 2-for-4 at the plate. “I can’t really explain how it feels right now. It felt great (when I hit the ball). I knew it was going to be a tough play. The centerfielder dove and I came through with the hit.”
Denver Christian (20-9), the reigning two-time defending 2A state champs, advance to the finals to battle Forge Christian (24-4) at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hobbs Field at Runyon Sports Complex.
Forge Christian, formerly known as Faith Christian until the fall of 2023, has won three baseball state championships in 2007, 2011 and 2016 all in 3A. Denver Christian is going for its fifth state baseball title as the Thunder also won in 1996 and 2013.
Forge Christian is undefeated in the double-elimination tournament and as such Denver Christian will have to beat the Fury twice on Saturday. Forge Christian is 2-0 against Denver Christian this season, capturing 10-3 and 3-2 wins over the Eagles on April 12 and April 15, respectively.
“We respect them, and we know they (Forge Christian) are a quality program, but we are ready to come and give them all that we have,” Denver Christian coach Terry Hensley said.
Denver Christian’s quest for a state championship three-peat has been impressive considering the Eagles lost their opening game a week ago to Fowler (2-0). DC then responded with wins over Dayspring Christian (6-3), Highland (13-9), and Monte Vista (12-2) Friday morning and then Platte Valley.
“I have been doing this for 44 years and these kids just believe,” Hensley said. “They have won two state championships, so they know what it takes. They have just fought and fought and fought. They know they have a monumental task in front of them (Saturday), but I wouldn’t want to go at this with any other players than the ones we are going to put on the field (Saturday).”
The hero script for Morris wasn’t just about his game-winning hit. He also came in as a relief pitcher in the top of the 10th inning with two outs.
Mason Hunt, who reached on a walk by prior pitcher Mason Reilly, moved to second when Morris was called for a balk.
However, Morris regrouped and struck out Dagen Gomez.
“Drew Morris earned his spurs today,” Hensley said.
In the bottom of the 10th, Nate Bovasso led off with a double in the right-centerfield gap for DC. That brought up Trey Speir who lifted a sacrifice fly to right to advance Bovasso to third. With one out, Elijah Whitfield came to the plate. After delivering his 103rd pitch, Gomez slipped off the mound.
That left the count at 1-1 and PV brought in southpaw relief pitcher Hazen Weber who struck out Whitfield.
That set the stage for Morris to step into the spotlight.
“I’m so proud of my guys,” Hensley said.
