Denton faces a difficult task today as it takes on Wichita Falls Rider for first place in District 5-4A. Both teams have used strong pitching staffs to boast flawless records in district play.

Marty Green

“It will be a good ballgame,” said Marty Green, head baseball coach at Denton. “It’s a battle of undefeateds and could be a very tight game.”

Denton (10-4, 4-0) is coming off back-to-back wins in consecutive days last week as the Broncos knocked off Denison 7-2 on Thursday after it edged Guyer, 4-3.

Senior pitcher Miles Mulkey will take the mound for Denton. Mulkey last pitched Wednesday against Guyer when he allowed three runs in five innings and picked up the win in a 4-3 victory. Mulkey was near perfect through five innings, allowing only two hits.

Rider (9-9, 3-0) features a pair of standout pitchers in Brett Rogers (3-1) and Matt Wolfe (4-0). Rogers struck out 16 batters and limited Denison to three hits in Rider’s most recent district win, a 5-0 victory Wednesday.

“He’s a quality pitcher and that’s the kind of game we’re looking for,” Green said of Rogers.

Wolfe has Rider’s other two wins in district play, including a four-hitter against Guyer on March 14. 

“Their pitchers are always good,” Green said. “We just got to be tough outs and try to make them throw and take advantage of any opportunities they give us.”

Some of the Denton batters have experience against Rogers. Denton knocked Rogers from a game last season in the second inning that led to a 19-9 win and clinched a playoff spot.

Although Denton played well against Rider last season, Green said he understands it’s a different season and that past results won’t factor in much.

“Last year is a long time ago, and this is a new year,” Green said. “Whatever we did last year probably won’t have much relevance to this year. We’re going in knowing we’re going to have to take advantage of any opportunities.”

Baker excels in closer role

Abel Baker has done well this season as the team’s closer, picking up two saves in district play in his only two chances.

Baker relieved starter Miles Mulkey last week in a 4-3 win over Guyer and pitched two scoreless innings. In the district opener against Wichita Falls, Baker took over after four innings and threw no-hit ball the rest of the way.

“Abel has filled our closers role this year really well,” Green said. “He’s got pretty good stuff, and he throws strikes. He has a lot of confidence out there. The kids have a lot of confidence in him too, so we are glad he’s been able to fill that role.”

Tough two-game stretch

After facing Wichita Falls Rider today for first place in district, Denton will then play second-place Ryan (14-3, 2-1) on April 1.

The difficult two-game stretch will feature its share of top-notch pitchers, Denton head coach Marty Green said Monday.

“Ryan has great pitching,” Green said. “Both of these next two games could be real pitching duel opportunities.”

Boys golf

Golfers shot well at Denton Invitational

The Denton boys golf team placed fourth Saturday in the six-team field at the NorthStar Bank Denton Invitational at Robson Ranch. The Broncos shot a 676 in the two-day, two-round event, which Ardmore, Okla., won with a shot total of 603. Denton finished ahead of cross-town rivals Guyer and Ryan.

Kyle Kristoferson led Denton with an opening-round 76 before shooting an 87 in the final round. Kristoferson finished the event in 12th place among individual golfers. Trent Erwin finished in 14th place with a two-round total of 165. Seth Ramey, Nick Vance and Hoyt Richter also shot well for Denton. Ramey fired two rounds of 86, while Vance shot 88 and 90. Richter opened with an 86.  

Player of the week

Abel Baker helped Denton get a crucial win over Guyer on Wednesday, pitching two innings of scoreless relief. Baker took over in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and no outs, and managed to get three outs on only two pitches. For his solid performance on the mound, Baker is the Denton Record-Chronicle Denton player of the week.

BRAD McDONNELL can be reached at 940-566-6869. His e-mail address is bmcdonnell@dentonrc.com  .