After storming out to an 8-0 start to the year, the Air Academy girls’ tennis team has hit a few speed bumps.

After suffering the first loss of the season to Fairview on Monday, Air Academy fell once again - but this time to a familiar foe right down the road.

Tuesday, Palmer Ridge claimed a 5-2 win over Air Academy, despite missing two varsity players.

“I was hoping for a win, but they’ve looked so strong you just never know,” Palmer Ridge coach Dawn Kruger said. “My team was jelling today.”

Thanks to injuries the Kadets have had to tweak their lineup, splitting undefeated doubles teams and moving singles players around to fill the gaps.

Mackie Tate Tygart, formerly a No. 1 doubles player who was undefeated at 6-0, moved up to No. 3 singles and is 2-0 since the switch. Tuesday she defeated Palmer Ridge’s Alexis Olmstead.

Half of Air Academy’s other undefeated doubles team, Delaney Hawkins, battled in No. 2 doubles with partner Mia Kardell, but fell 6-4, 6-4 to Palmer Ridge’s Paiton Riggle and Tessa Rothwell, who are 5-0 on the season.

“Tessa is a freshman and she’s playing so strong,” Kruger said. “She’s got footloose, fancy feet, and is not stressed about anything. She’s handling it very well and she and Paiton are really starting to get their volleys and overheads.”

At No. 1 singles, Keelie Bennett defeated Air Academy’s Cori Campbell 6-4, 6-1 - an improvement for the sophomore, who claimed the win in three sets over Campbell last year.

The Bears got wins from Kyra Rothwell at No. 2 singles, who swept Air Academy’s Ally Reeder 6-0, 6-0; No. 1 doubles of Bali Fitzpatrick and Ciara Bobak, 6-3, 6-4 and at No. 4 doubles with Kate Douglas and Tess Kelly claiming a win 6-1, 6-2.

BASEBALL

The Classical Academy 8, Widefield 1

At The Classical Academy: Widefield spoiled TCA’s shutout in the top of the sixth inning but the Titans held on for a 4A Colorado Springs Metro league win.

Noah Lasecki threw a three-hit shutout until the Glads brought a run across in the sixth. He fanned 12 batters and walked one through seven innings pitched for the win.

Hayden Cooper and Matt Doole had two RBIs for TCA (5-5, 2-0), Matt Roper hit 3 for 3 and scored three times.

Widefield falls to 5-7 and 1-1 in league play.

Cheyenne Mountain 10, Falcon 1

At Falcon: The Indians scored five runs in the top of the third to help on the way to a 4A/5A Pikes Peak conference win over Falcon.

Derrian Escobar-Winter hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to bring across Falcon’s only run of the game. Escobar-Winter leads the Falcons (4-5, 1-4) batting .500 with 11 RBIs.

The Indians lead the league with a perfect 5-0 record in the PPAC and are 8-1 overall.

Pine Creek 5, Rampart 2

At Rampart: Parker Gregory tossed a one-hitter through six innings and struck out 10 batters to aid Pine Creek in its fourth straight win and a 5A Colorado Springs Metro League victory.

Gregory helped himself out at the plate, hitting a solo home run for the Eagles (9-2, 5-0). Drake Logan hit 2 for 2 with an RBI and Evan Faucher hit a two-RBI triple.

Hunter Felts had the Rams’ lone hit and Michael Bishop spoiled the shutout with a sacrifice hit in the fourth.

Rampart is 4-6 and 2-1 in the CSML.

Mesa Ridge 18, Sierra 3, 5 innings

At Mesa Ridge: Mesa Ridge scored 11 innings through the third and fourth to cut a 4A CSML game short against Sierra.

The Grizzlies (5-4, 2-0) peppered Sierra with hits, smacking 15 balls in play. Logan Weaver and Reece Bishop had three hits each. Bishop and Brenden Medina had three RBIs each for Mesa, but Jared Volcic did the damage at the plate, hitting 2 for 3 with four RBIs.

Mesa Ridge also stole 11 bases.

Brandon Tafoya, Jose Guerrero and Jean Tarazona had hits for the Stallions (1-5, 0-2).

Vista Ridge 3, Air Academy 2

At Air Academy: The Wolves scored one in the top of the sixth inning and held Air Academy off in the final frame for their first 4A/5A PPAC win of the year.

Gabe Schafer hit 2 for 3 with one RBI to lead Vista Ridge at the plate. Alex Hatchett also brought in a run for the Wolves (2-8, 1-4).

Although he took the loss, Air Academy’s Micah Bregard had a solid six-inning outing on the mound. He allowed one hit and two earned runs and struck out 10 batters.

Air Academy is 3-7 and 3-2 in league play.

Woodland Park 11, Mitchell 1, 5 innings

At Woodland Park: Michael Shrum knocked in four runs for the Panthers on the way to a 4A CSML win over Mitchell (5-7, 1-2).

John Hoffman also had a multiple-RBI night, batting in two for Woodland Park (7-4, 2-0).

Dempsey Battin threw a one-hitter through the five-inning shortened game, striking out eight batters along the way.

Doherty 14, Palmer 8

At Doherty: Justin Chappell had three RBIs for the Terrors but it wasn’t enough to overcome Doherty in a 5A CSML clash.

David Cooper and Jordan Cornelison led the Spartans with two RBIs each.

Palmer breezed through five pitchers, none of whom lasted longer than two innings.

Rye 12, Manitou Springs 0

At Manitou Springs: Manitou Springs could not battle back after Rye scored six runs in the top of the first inning in a nonconference loss to the Bolts.

Christian Mack led the Mustangs (3-6) at the plate with two hits.

Liberty 6, Coronado 4

At Coronado: Liberty scored three runs through the sixth and seventh innings to claim its first win of the season and a 5A CSML victory over Coronado.

Bryce Eisenreich earned the win on the mound pitching seven full innings, striking out seven. He also hit an RBI double for the Lancers (1-7, 1-1).

Beau Chauvin batted in a pair of runs for the Cougars (3-5, 0-3)

Discovery Canyon 8, Lewis-Palmer 4

At Lewis-Palmer: Trailing by one heading into the sixth inning, Discovery Canyon scored a pair of runs to take the lead, and tacked on four more in the top of the seventh to clinch a 4A/5A PPAC win, handing the Rangers their first conference loss of the season.

Christian Holden and Brady Choban had RBIs for the Rangers (8-2, 4-1). Choban also took the loss on the mound, throwing six innings and allowing three earned runs. He struck out seven.

Discovery Canyon (4-4, 2-3) pitchers struck out seven Lewis-Palmer batters.

Canon City 20, Harrison 2

At Canon City: Thirteen players scored for the Tigers in an overwhelming 4A CSML win over Harrison.

Lincoln Andrews, Kaleb Crossman and Ben Marushack knocked in two RBIs each. Freshman Seth Newton hit 2 for 4 and scored three times. Andrew Lapp, another freshman, had three hits, two RBIs and scored three times.

Five pitchers split the work for the Tigers (7-2, 1-0), striking out 13 of 21 batters faced.

Harrison remains winless at 0-11 and 0-3 in league play.

Calhan 5, Dolores Huerta 4

At Calhan: Calhan withheld a Dolores Huerta comeback late as the Scorpions scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning.

The Bulldogs are 9-3 and 4-1 in league play thanks to the narrow 2A District 8 win over Dolores Huerta. Cotopaxi 27, Cripple Creek-Victor 2

At Cripple Creek-Victor: Cotopaxi scored 14 runs in the bottom of the second, adding to an already hefty eight-run lead. From there, Cripple Creek (0-5) could not come back in a nonconference loss.

Palmer Ridge 18, Sand Creek 4

At Sand Creek: The Bears scored seven runs in the seventh inning to add to their comfortable lead for a 4A/5A PPAC win.

Sand Creek is searching for its first conference win. Palmer Ridge is 8-2 and 5-1 in league play.

GIRLS' SOCCER

St. Mary’s 10, Atlas Prep 0

At Atlas Prep: Becca Dunbaugh registered her fourth shutout of the year as St. Mary’s overwhelmed Atlas Prep in a 3A Region 1 victory.

Cassidy Sorensen led the Pirates with two goals and three assists, while Mary Brummel collected her second hat trick of the season. Freshman Julai Creech also had two goals for St. Mary’s (5-2, 2-0).

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The Gryphons are 4-2 and 1-1 in league play.

Woodland Park 2, Widefield 0

At Widefield: Charlotte Eilersten scored twice for the Panthers in a 4A CSML win over Widefield.

Allie Christianson had three saves for Woodland Park (3-4-1, 2-0-1) and Maddie Hager stopped 12 shots for the Gladiators (2-6-1, 1-2).

Fountain Valley 4, James Irwin 1

At Fountain Valley: Deisy Alvarado Salavar scored the Jaguars' only goal in a nonleague loss to Fountain Valley.

Chloe Mason, Ani Love, Harriet Townsend and Eryn Mitchell scored for the Danes. Tilly Rahm made six stops in net for Fountain Valley (3-1)

James Irwin falls to 3-5-1.

Rampart 10, Palmer 0

At D-20 Stadium: Rampart scored nine goals on Palmer in the first half for its first 5A CSML win.

Harmony Meier had a goal and two assists for the Rams (5-2, 1-0), Veronica Botto and Alizandra Lopez had two helpers each. Katelyn Wilcox had a goal and an assist.

Palmer remains winless.

Palmer Ridge 4, Falcon 1

At Falcon: The Bears scored three goals in the second half to keep Falcon at bay in a 4A/5A PPAC win.

Sarah Miller had two goals and an assist for Palmer Ridge, while Anna Mason and Emily Nguyen also found the back of the net for the Bears (5-2-1, 1-0).

Falcon (3-4, 0-1) scored its lone goal in the second half.

Manitou Springs 9, Vanguard 1

At Vanguard: The 3A Region 2 foes were knotted at one at the half, but Manitou Springs exploded in the final 40 minutes, scoring eight goals to remain undefeated in conference play.

Bridget Bodor and Olivia McKenna scored four goals each for the Mustangs (7-1, 2-0) and Brooklyn Mack also had a goal and two assists.

Caileen Sienchnect had three helpers, and Sophie Mckeown had two.

Vanguard falls to 2-4 and 0-3 in league play.

TCA 10, Elizabeth 0

At The Classical Academy: The Titans added to their 3-0 lead at the half by scoring seven goals in the final 40 minutes for a big 4A CSML win over Elizabeth.

Gracey Thompson scored a hat trick for TCA, while Talia Schmidt contributed two goals and an assist.

Alison Smith had a goal and three helpers for the Titans (5-1-2, 2-0). Lauren Fletcher earned the shutout in goal.

Salida 3, Florence 2

At Florence: Rysa Lancaster scored both of Florence’s goals in a 3A Region 2 loss to Salida. Salida is 7-1, Florence falls to 6-2 and 0-2 in league play.

Liberty 8, Coronado 0

At D-20 Stadium: Courtney Cowels scored a hat trick and freshman Sydney Engelkins netted two more in a dominant 5A CSML victory over Coronado - and the Lancers’ first win of the year.

Taylor Sibley, Cara Cannello, Ryann Gordon and Amber Boains also scored for Liberty.

Maria Martinez earned the shutout in goal for the Lancers.

Coronado falls to 3-6-0 and 0-1 in the CSML.

Pine Creek 9, Fountain-Fort Carson 0

At Fountain-Fort Carson: Myah Isas found the back of the net three times for the Eagles, while Kelsie Knoerzer, Paige Thompson, Lauren Bogue and Pauton Smelker also scored in a swift 5A CSML win over Fountain-Fort Carson (2-3-2, 0-1).

The win marks Pine Creek’s first league win. The Eagles are 3-3 overall.

Sand Creek 3, Air Academy 2

At Air Academy: Sand Creek held off an Air Academy comeback in the second half to secure a 4A/5A PPAC win.

Megan Bobo and Katherine Tansill scored for the Kadets (2-3-1, 0-1) in the second half. Sand Creek is 6-2 and 1-0 in the PPAC.

Cheyenne Mountain 10, Vista Ridge 0

At Cheyenne Mountain: Cheyenne Mountain scored seven times in the first half, and tacked on three more in the final 40, just for good measure.

Marissa Dowlin scored four goals for the Indians in the 4A/5A PPAC win. Sophie Hollard and Carly Fetters netted two each for Cheyenne Mountain (4-2-1, 1-0).

Vista Ridge falls to 1-5 and is 0-1 in league play.  

Lewis-Palmer 2, Discovery Canyon 0

Harrison 1, Sierra 0

BOYS’ LACROSSE

Columbine 19, Palmer 2

GIRLS' TENNIS

Coronado 7, Palmer 0

At Coronado: Coronado defeated Palmer in nonleague action, sweeping all seven matches.

The Cougars’ Nos. 3 and 4 doubles team had the most decisive matches of the day, as No. 3 doubles of Jillian Meister and Maya Glasser, and No. 4 doubles of Lelanie Betts and Rylea Baumberger beat their opponents 6-0, 6-0. Coronado is now 3-4.

Palmer is still searching for its first win of the season.

St. Mary’s 6, Falcon 1

At Falcon: Falcon’s No. 2 doubles team of Rachel O’Connor and Annalyse Torres battled into three sets to claim the Falcons' (0-8) lone win against St. Mary’s in a nonleague match.

Unfortunately for Falcon, O’Connor's and Torres’ efforts were not enough to overcome the Pirates (3-4), who breezed to six match wins.

At No. 1 singles Gabriella Coronado defeated Falcon’s Elixabeth Londono 6-0, 6-1, while the Pirates’ No. 1 doubles duo of Mackenzie Pepper and Kyle Barrett defeated Rebecca Galvez and Kadielle Shaw 6-1, 6-1.

Cheyenne Mountain 7, Discovery Canyon 0

At Discovery Canyon: No. 1 doubles team of Jensen Eterman and Taylor Heinicke battled to preserve Cheyenne Mountain’s shutout thanks to a three-set victory over Discovery Canyon’s Hunter Jones and Layne Frost.

Corey Patton Lossner also claimed a three-set victory for the Indians (5-1).

Doherty 5, Liberty 2

BOYS' SWIMMING AND DIVING

Discovery Canyon 127, Liberty 59

At Liberty: Braden Whitmarsh was a double winner for Discovery Canyon as the Thunder claimed 10 of 12 events in a nonleague meet.

Whitmarsh claimed the 200 and 100 freestyle races in 1:50.07 and 50.59, respectively.

Liberty’s Troy Legg won the 200 IM in 2:06.38, beating out Discovery Canyon’s Robert Clayton by .12 seconds. Kei Simmons touched the wall first in the 50 free (24.84) to round out the Lancers’ first-place finishes.

Lewis-Palmer 188, Air Academy 122

At Rampart: Lewis-Palmer earned eight first-place finishes but Air Academy was on the Rangers’ heels the entire way through a 4A Pikes Peak conference meet.

Lewis-Palmer hung on for the win to remain undefeated on the season. The Rangers won the final six events to clinch it.

Air Academy’s Griffin Ayotte claimed two of the Kadets’ first-place finishes, winning the 200 freestyle (1:48.12) and the 100 butterfly (56.83). Jack Elbert won the 1-meter dive competition for Air Academy (1-2, 0-2), challenged by Lewis-Palmer’s Aric Althouse, who came in second by nine points.

Breck Donahue was a double-winner for Lewis-Palmer with wins in the 50 free (23.46) and the 100 free (53.15).

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