James Winter’s first pitching outing of the season probably isn’t a memory he’d like to remember. The Clear Creek senior hurler got hammered for 10 runs — four earned — and walked eight in just two-thirds of an inning against Colorado Academy. His second outing was a far different story.

Winter pitched a complete-game four-hitter, striking out seven and Clear Creek scored eight runs in the first inning en route to a 13-2 thumping of visiting Cornerstone Christian on March 25. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
The Golddiggers’ No. 3 pitcher, behind Dylan Terry and P.J. Ruschmyer, hadn’t pitched since that 20-2 season-opening loss, but, outside of a two-run third inning by the Bulldogs, he looked every bit as sharp as Clear Creek’s top two pitchers
“It was the first time I’ve pitched in about two weeks. I worked on keeping the ball down and going for it,” Winter said.
While he was doing that his teammates were doing all they could to put the ball in play, especially early on. It didn’t hurt that Cornerstone Christian starting pitcher Adam Van Eaton had his share of control problems. Van Eaton delivered five wild pitches in a first inning that led to two of Clear Creek’s eight runs. The Golddiggers sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame. Sebby Andrade delivered the big blow, a two-run bloop double down the third-base line.
“We’ve been struggling at the plate to start the season, especially me. It was good to get connection with the ball,” Andrade said. “You put it in play and something is going to happen.”
Andrade finished 3-for-3 and scored three runs, including twice in the first inning. Cory Kerr added two hits, including a two-run double in Clear Creek’s five-run second inning. Winter and Kerr each scored twice.
“We’re definitely a team that likes to roll on big runs. When we start off well we usually continue to play well. It’s great to get off to a good start. Hopefully, we can continue doing it,” Andrade said.
That would be a good sign considering in Clear Creek’s first three wins this season it scored 36 runs, while in its first two losses it scored only four.