2A baseball: Rockwell, Hines shine in leading Limon to back-to-back titles

PUEBLO – Limon felt pressure before the first pitch on Saturday. The Badgers had won 45 straight games dating back to last season and were one win away from their second straight undefeated season and Class 2A state title. 

With one swing, Limon’s Trey Hines removed all that pressure. 

Facing St. Mary’s J.P. Clune in the bottom of the fifth inning at Rawlings Field, home of the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves, Hines drove a pitch to deep center field that cleared the bases and gave Limon a 3-2 lead. That was enough for Limon starter Brady Rockwell, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth and secured one of the last three outs in the top half of the seventh.. 

Hines came in relief of Rockwell and shut the door on St. Mary’s (19-9) to help complete Limon’s perfect 26-0 season, seal the 3-2 win and the Class 2A state baseball title. 

“I knew in my heart we were going to have to win a one-run game down the stretch,” Limon coach Rocky Rockwell said. “Kudos to St. Mary’s. They battled, grinded and put pressure on us. But I’m just proud of our boys. It just takes one big rally and they kept believing.” 

Limon had scored at least eight or more runs in 25 straight games before Saturday. The Badgers’ bats had been a consistent theme throughout the 2022 season. But they went cold early against Clune, who struck out eight hitters across six innings and pitched four shutout innings before Hines’ clutch hit. 

Chance Cannon’s leadoff walk set the table in the bottom of the fifth. Rockwell followed with a bunt single. Two batters later, Colby Simmons loaded the bases with a single to right field. 

Next up was Hines. 

“I could see it. I was feeling it throughout the day,” Hines said. “I was just thinking, ‘Give me a chance.’ I felt like I had Clune’s speed down and felt comfortable in (the batter’s box).

“Clune is a dang good pitcher. I just knew to throw my hands at the ball and put the ball in the play. That’s what our coach preaches and that’s what I did. I’m thankful for the opportunity.” 

Hines also felt confident in Rockwell, who pitched 5 ? scoreless innings after allowing two first-inning runs. 

The Pirates jumped on Rockwell with a leadoff triple in the top half of the first. Two batters later, Cesar Martinez-Diaz delivered a two-out RBI double down the right field line. After issuing a walk, Rockwell gave up another two-out RBI hit, this time to Carson Faber, who singled to left field. 

“I knew St. Mary’s would swing well early. They were up on us 8-0 earlier this year so I knew I had to just stay zoned in and throw strikes and we would be fine,” Rockwell said. 

Rockwell scattered six hits in his final 5 ? innings of work, three of which came in the top of the sixth. He struck out nine Pirates and didn’t issue a walk. 

With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, and nearing a limit on his pitch count, Rockwell dialed in and struck out St. Mary’s Peter Ghigleri and Garrett Klein to end the threat. 

“Brady is a dude,” Hines said. “He has that mindset that he is going in there to strike you out.” 

Rockwell’s outing and Hines’ bases-clearing triple completed Limon’s two-year run of dominance. The program finished last season 20-0 en route to a title. This season, the Badgers matched that and delivered more with a group of five seniors — Rockwell, Hines, Cannon, Simmons and Ky Bandy — and a blend of sophomores and freshmen. 

“I’m just so dang proud of this group,” said Rocky, who won his second state title alongside sons Brady and Jordan. “They’re all humble champions and they always seem to find a way. Once again, they kept battling and they stuck with it.” 

This most recent title was the Limon baseball program’s fourth in its history.