Skiers yearn for ‘home’ baseball game in Aspen

ASPEN – The Skiers are ready to play at home.

The Aspen High School baseball team would love the opportunity to play a home game in Aspen rather than the usual “home” games at Crawford Field in El Jebel.

This might be the week.

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The Skiers, for the first time in nearly a decade, might host a home baseball game at Iselin Field because of a combination of weather, snow (or the lack thereof) and turf.

A decision on Tuesday’s scheduled 3 p.m. “home” game against Basalt (2-0) is expected Monday. The Longhorns opened the season with a doubleheader sweep at Coal Ridge on Saturday.

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“Ideally, that’s what we’ll have, a home game in Aspen,” AHS baseball coach Clancy Philbrick said.

“We’ve been playing in El Jebel, but we might get a home game on our turf field,” he said.

The Skiers, with only limited practice outdoors, opened the season a week ago in Grand Junction when they took on Moffat County, of Craig.

The Bulldogs, just down from the Class 4A ranks, beat Aspen 11-1 and 11-4.

In spite of the losses, Philbrick said the Skiers had bright spots against Moffat County.

Joe Kistner tripled to show for a productive day at the plate.

“He hit well in both games,” Philbrick said.

Cameron Siewruk also had a good day at the plate, he said.

“And Max Marolt was on base consistently for us,” Philbrick said.

Patrick Martin pitched for the Skiers.

“He pitched well for his first time out. All of them pitched fairly well,” Philbrick said of the Aspen staff. “I was encouraging them to throw strikes.”

Josh Garcia made three spectacular catches in center field for the Skiers, according to the Aspen coach.

The Skiers also had to face highly regarded pitcher Bubba Ivers of the Bulldogs, an all-league player who’s fastball has been clocked in the 80s.

“Our kids have been working hard. Hopefully, we’ll have that home game,” Philbrick said.

dstrode@aspentimes.com