Poor start dooms F-FC

   No. 11 seed Fossil Ridge scored four runs in the top of the first inning and pitcher Cory McEvoy took care of the rest as the visiting Sabercats defeated No. 6 Fountain-Fort Carson 5-2 Saturday to advance to the 4A state regionals.

    Fossil Ridge's Jared Todd struck the big blow with a two-out, three-run double. After that, McEvoy dominated the Trojan hitters for seven innings, giving up only two runs on four hits with 14 strikeouts.

    "Having a four-run lead before I even took the mound was huge," McEvoy said. "I knew our offense would keep getting chances to score more."

    Fossil Ridge coach Mike VanderVelde was happy with his pitcher.

    "Cory comes out every game and is dominant," VanderVelde said. "He always pitches with the same mentality and is confident and ready to go."

    The Trojans (17-4) had many opportunities to score the runs they desperately needed but couldn't capitalize.

    "These were two very good baseball teams and the difference was that they got a big hit and we didn't," Trojans coach Matt Buczkowski said. "We had chances, but we have to give McEvoy credit for keeping us off balance."

    The Sabercats (17-4) were able to bend but not break in the third. The Trojans had runners on second and third with one out but couldn't push the tying runs across the plate.

    "We have nothing to be ashamed of," Buczkowski said. "This is the best season I've ever been around and I'm extremely proud of these kids."

    Fountain-Fort Carson almost didn't make it to face Fossil Ridge, which defeated Liberty 18-1 earlier.

    The Trojans rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat No. 27 Alameda 7-6, thanks to a two-out RBI single by Phil Nyhoff.