Eaton High School is known for its competitive nature when it comes to sports. Winning multiple state championships for volleyball, basketball, and most recently the championship streaks for softball and baseball, Eaton has been well known in these past years for taking home the hardware. The road to state championships are far from simple, but in the last four years, Eaton has successfully made it to the state championships and brought the trophy home for Eaton baseball and Eaton’s community. With this streak comes a lot of responsibility and pressure to perform at a high level. It takes a lot of hard work to be able to play on that final day of the state tournament. Also, rivalry games, like University, are eye opening to flaws within the team that need to improve before that day arrives.
On April 21, the Eaton Reds played the University Bulldogs. As in any sport, there is always tension between University and Eaton players. From the endless smack talk to “U down” references, these two teams have always had it out for each other when it comes to sports. Whenever this special rivalry comes around it is as special to the players as it is for the UH and Eaton communities. Supporters from all over Eaton and Greeley come to support, as they obnoxiously cheer in hopes the win goes in their favor for the day.
The 2025 season started off with a close but hard fought loss to Golden. On this day the Eaton community saw what the team was capable of. Even though this game resulted in a loss, the potential shown from this team was recognized. Ever since this game, things have not been the same. There have been kinks to the Eaton baseball team that areleaving them all questioning what to do. This was once again shown in the University rivalry game; leaving the team once again disappointed with their performance.
Cash Rinker (25) said, “Probably just not beating ourselves. Executing better and coming out ready to go at the beginning of the game, not the end. The first inning really defeated oujr momentum and changed the course of the game.”
The momentum in this rivarly game started quickly for the University baseball team. Scoring 6 runs in the first inning allowed UH to shift the pressure off of them and onto Eaton.
Everett Edinger (26) said, “First inning is what really affected the game, giving up 6 runs in the first inning does not win baseball games, we just need to make plays. Our bats have started to heat up, but we have to be able to make plays in the field and throw strikes. We did that against Valley High School, coming out and scoring 16 runs and had a very solid defense, pitchers throwing strikes and pounding the zone really helped.”
Pressure always adds to the stress of succeeding, but was this really the problem for the team. Was the amount of pressure riding on this game outweighing the doubts of the town. Or was the stress of trying to prove themself as a baseball team weighing them down?
Vinnie Juarez (26) said, “I would say the emotions were different but not as much because of it being a rival game. I would say it was more because you had more to prove as a team and this was the perfect game to do so.”
This game was a perfect time for the Eaton baseball team to show their true potential, and unfortunately they fell short of doing so. This matchup between University and Eaton is always an important game for these boys but this year it was different. They lost the momentum in the first inning and came closer to making a comeback as the game went on, but in the end this wasn’t enough for the Redds to come out with the win.
