Scott flashes more leather, Broomfield baseball stays perfect in win…

BROOMFIELD — Apparently, Gold Gloves aren’t just for big leaguers.

The national high school baseball scene has its own version of the defensive award put out by the American Baseball Coaches Association. And it’s as good of any setup to mention what Broomfield’s Noah Scott is doing with the leather this spring.

The Broomfield senior got one of his defensive gems on television last month, when he knocked down a heavy liner on the mound against Valor Christian and leapt head-first for the ball before throwing the runner out from the ground. And he was at it again Tuesday.

Up against a blustery wind and a sharp blast from Monarch junior Row Tucker that seemed to be heading well over his head — Scott flailed high into the air with his legs apart, snaring it, before coming down to double-up a runner and end the inning.

“If it’s hit to him, it’s an out,” Broomfield junior Bailey Smith said.

Scott turned three double plays by himself against the Coyotes, saving runs and keeping the Class 5A defending champs afloat as its eight-run lead dwindled. He finished by getting the final four outs on the mound, preserving a hold-your-breath 12-8 win, which pushed Broomfield to 12-0 on the season.

“I don’t know about any of those awards like you do,” Broomfield coach Kale Gilmore said. “What I do know is he’s the heart and soul of our team. He does a lot of things for us.”

After Scott stepped on second and threw to first, turning another double play in the sixth inning, he came onto the mound later in the frame with the Eagles clinging to a 9-7 lead with the bases loaded.

He got Tucker to ground out on one pitch to end the threat. He then hit an RBI double to extend the lead in the next frame before closing the door in the seventh.

“It’s part of the game, being a five-tool player,” Scott said of how he works on his defense along with his batting and pitching. “I work hard at it every day at practice, and I hope it shows.”

Scott finished with two hits and drove in a run, extending his hits and RBIs streak to five games. On the mound, he allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings for his first save since his sophomore season.

“I told them it was a sign of respect that they brought in Scott to close the door,” Monarch coach James Thompson said. “By having them work through their bullpen and having to bring in their best arm — that says something.”

Smith had two hits for Broomfield (4-0 5A Front Range League), including a bases-clearing triple in a six-run third to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Ethan Zufall got his fifth straight win on the mound, allowing one run over four innings.

Monarch (8-5, 2-3) had won three of its last four before its rally fell short against the Eagles. Max Mueller hit a two-run home run in a three-run fifth and Finn Gardner had a two-run double in a three-run sixth, finishing with three RBIs.

Broomfield will look for its 14th straight win dating back to last spring when it hosts Fairview Thursday. Meanwhile, Monarch is at home against Brighton.