By John Cackowski
State Director

Highlands Ranch - In a matchup of two of the top 4A programs in the state the Valor Christian Eagles defeated the Wheat Ridge Farmers on Thursday 10-2 as the Eagles continue their march towards the 4A playoffs playing their best baseball of the season. 

2019 RHP Davis Heller was scheduled to start but Heller sprained his ankle over the weekend so the Eagles went with 2018 RHP/3B and recent Pepperdine recruit Luke Ziegler, and they did not miss a beat. Ziegler was dominant carrying a 2-hit shutout into the 6th inning and ended with a line of 6 innings pitched giving up 4 hits, 1 earned run, and 7 strikeouts. 

The Eagles jumped on the Farmers 3-0 in the bottom of the first highlighted by back to back doubles by 2017 OF Blake Donnels and Ziegler. Then the Eagles tacked on 4 more runs in the bottom of the 2nd highlighted by a 2-run triple by 2017 SS Jonathan Boulaphinh. Boulaphinh would have a stellar day going 4 for 4 with 3 RBI's. 

The whole game the Farmers couldn't generate much offense, and also struggled in the field at times which was uncharacteristic for the well coached Farmers.