During Spring break, the Lewis-Palmer High School Ranger’s varsity baseball team competed in a tournament in Glendale, Arizona. The tournament took place from March 21 to the 24; teams from across the country came to compete in this series of baseball games.

The road trip for the Rangers was highly anticipated by all players and coaches. The boys set personal and team goals prior to the tournament.

Cody Morrow, 12, is a pitcher and first baseman for the Rangers varsity team. Morrow expressed his willingness to win with his competitiveness and strong attitude towards each game.

“Our goal was to do better than last year, which was one win and three losses. We all had to play as a team, most of the guys on the team know each other so we all know what we’re capable of doing. We’re a strong team and we all want to win,” said Morrow.

The Rangers baseball team consists of eight seniors, eight juniors and two freshman. The team already is a very tight-knit bunch, but they still look to add more players to the family.

Tyler Deloach, 12, is a pitcher and outfielder for the Rangers. Deloach is always trying to make newcomers feel more and more comfortable by introducing them to the team and giving them tips.

“I feel like we all should know each other. That’s what makes a team better, during practice we all have time to get to know each other by joking around and having fun. But when game time comes we see their true colors show and we all support one another,” said Deloach.

Of the two varsity freshmen, Colton Stegman, 9, is a starting catcher for the team. Stegman started two out of the four games down in Arizona. He doesn’t take his spot for granite as he works hard and hustles on every play.

“It’s so much fun to be honest, the team welcomed me in with a great attitude not just thinking I am just some freshman,” said Stegman. “It also feels great to be a starter, especially catching one of the best pitchers in the district.”

The first game played by the Rangers was started by pitcher, Paul Tillotson, 12. Tillotson had the hot hand fooling batters time and time again. Scouts filled the stands with radar guns, pens and paper taking notes on Tillotson’s tendencies and acts. Tillotson had twelve strikeouts, and hit a max speed of 95 mph.

In the third game, the Rangers scored fifteen runs. Out of those fifteen runs, Tillotson had seven runs with a four run home run,  also called a Grand Slam. Billy Cook, 11, also contributed to the team scoring four runs and a triple. Morrow pitched six and two thirds innings striking out seven.

The Rangers won two games and lost two games, fulfilling their original goal. Going into the regular season in Colorado, the main goal as a team is to go undefeated in the Pikes Peak Athletic Conference. The Rangers are currently 4-2 this season, competing to get back to the State Finals.