PUEBLO – The season came to an end for the Del Norte High School baseball team as it was defeated by Denver Christian 3-1 in the Class 2A State Tournament quarterfinals Friday at the Runyon Sports Complex’s Andenucio Field.

“My boys played hard,” said Del Norte coach Adelmo Trujillo. “They played hard and gave them all they wanted. So I’m happy with them and proud of them.”

The Thunder took the early lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The big blow of the game came at this point as Astor Hawes slammed a solo home run.

The score remained 2-0 until the top of the fourth when the Tigers scored their only run of the game. Ben Parra was hit by a pitch and he came all the way around to score on Nick Atencio’s triple.

Denver Christian added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.

Thunder pitcher Mason Reilly pitched a one hitter in picking up the win. In addition to Nick Atencio’s triple and Parra getting hit by a pitch, the Tigers got on base only three additional times. Tytus Atencio reached on an error in the top of the first, and Aiden Medina walked in the third and he struck out but reached first base as the pitch got past the catcher in the fifth.

“They threw a lot of curve balls and off-speed stuff that kind of kept our timing on our heels,” Trujillo said. “That’s just the way the game goes.”

Mason also had 14 strikeouts.

Nick Atencio also pitched well in the loss, allowing three runs and five hits. He struck out five and walked three batters.

“Nick threw a heck of a game,” Trujillo said. “He went at them and did what we wanted him to do. He did what he always does. Nick is a great pitcher.”

Del Norte finished the season with a record of 17 wins and six losses. The Tigers lost six seniors to graduation, but Trujillo expects another good team next year.

“We’re still going to be young, but we have a good core,” Trujillo said. “We’ll have to build up a little bit and then we’ll see where it takes us.”

Denver Christian 3, Del Norte 1

Del Norte 000 100 0 – 1   1   4

Denver Christian 200 001 x – 3   5   1

N. Atencio (L) and G. Trujillo. Reilly (W) and Hawes. HR – DC: Hawes (1st inn., none on, 2 out).