Class 3A Softball State Tournament Preview
By Tayler Garcia
Before the action of the State Tournament gets into full swing, we take a quick look at each team and hit the highlights of their journey to this point. The teams paired together are who will face one another in the first round and winners will advance until we crown a new, or recrown the previous, team as the State Champions.
1.University Vs 16. Weld Central
University enters the last week of the season with a 23-2 overall record. Their two losses this season were against Elizabeth 2-12 and Palmer Ridge 12-18. Teams in the tournament University beat during the season were Delta17-1 Lamar 5-1, Sterling 14-1, Weld Central 16-6, Eaton 8-7 (8), Brush 17-2 and Strasburg 9-2. The Bulldogs went 2-0 in regionals, winning the region they hosted, defeating Englewood 19-0 and Sterling 15-0 to get to the final week of the season.
Weld Central comes into the tournament with a 10-15 overall record. During the season, the team faced some of the teams who also made it to the State Tournament and lost to Delta 12-18, La Junta 4-10, Lyons 2-11, Sterling 4-7 Strasburg 1-13, University 6-16 Eaton 0-15 and Brush 1-13. The Rebels went 1-1 during regionals last week and beat Arvada 14-5 but fell to Wellington 0-13.
As mentioned above, the last time University and Weld Central met during the season, the Bulldogs beat the Rebels 16-6.
Stat leaders:
University
Home Runs: Jasi Cole 7, Natalie Galindo 4, Sydney Goetzel 4
Stolen Bases: Emma Zacheis 11, Jasi Cole 9, Kenzie Wyatt 9
ERA: Jasi Cole 1.60, Kenzie Wyatt 3.98, Sydney Goetzel 4.41
Runs: Natlie Galindo 37, Jasi Cole 36, Emma Zacheis 36
Hits: Sydney Goetzel 39, Kenzie Wyatt 37, Jasi Cole 30
RBI: Sydney Goetzel 41, Jasi Cole 33, Natlie Galindo 30
Weld Central
Home Runs: Jennisa Hale 2, Payton Collins-Gottschalk 1, Jadeyn Sifuentes 1
Stolen Bases: Ally Landers 16, Lily Reh 15, Jennisa Hale 9
ERA: Jennisa Hale 9.02
Runs: Ally Landers 31, Jennisa Hale 29, Rylee Lair 25
Hits: Rylee Blair 34, Ally Landers 31, Jennisa Hale 31
RBI: Jennisa Hale 24, Jadeyn Sifuentes 20, Rylee Blair 19
8. Lamar VS 9. The Classical Academy
Lamar comes into the State Tournament with a 14-11 overall record on the season. During the season, Lamar fell to Eaton 1-12, University 1-5, Strasburg 10-12, Southeast Colorado 2-5 and 3-9and Brush 4-10 but beat Alamosa 8-1, 2-0, and 11-10 and La Junta 4-3 and 3-0. To get to the last week of the season, The Thunder rolled over their region, going 2-0, beating Valley 11-1 and Lyons 4-2 to become regional champions.
TCA enters the last week of the season with a14-11 overall record. During the season, the Titans did not cross paths with any of the teams who are still in the tournament until regionals. During Regionals, TCA went 1-1, beating Rocky Ford 13-3 and falling to Strasburg 1-11.
Stat Leaders:
Lamar
Home Runs: Khloe Fernandez 1, Yahirett Roman 1, Alexa Aguilar 1
Stolen Bases: Khloe Fernandez 13, Yahirett Roman 8, Carlin Weber 8
ERA: Carlin Weber 2.42
Runs: Khloe Fernandez 26, Alexa Aguilar 17, Carlin Weber 16
Hits: Carlin Weber 47, Alexa Aguilar 35, Khloe Fernandez 27
RBI: Alexa Aguilar 19, Carlin Weber 17, Yahirett Roman 12
TCA
Home Runs: Ada Wilson 4, Khaiyah Bacon 3, Carina Passarelli 2
Stolen Bases: Ada Wilson 20, Taytum Kimbro 16, Khaiyah Bacon 14
ERA: Ada Wilson 4.04, Basil Murphy 4.17
Runs: Ada Wilson 34, Taytum Kimbro 32, Khaiyah Bacon 31
Hits: Taytum Kimbro 36, Ada Wilson 33, Basil Murphy 26
RBI: Taytum Kimbro 30, Carinal Passarelli 30, Ada Wilson 29
4. Forge Christian Vs 13. Alamosa
Forge Christian enters the tournament with a 22-3 overall record on the season with their season losses being against Alamosa 5-9, Eaton 2-13 and Southeast Colorado 1-3. During the season the team was able to get the win over Strasburg 15-14 during the regular season. In Regionals, the Fury went 2-0, winning their region and beating Sand Creek 15-3 and Delta 9-4.
Alamosa enters the State Tournament with a 15-10 overall record. Notable games during the regular season for the Mean Moose include a win over Forge Christian 9-5, and losses to Lamar 1-8, 0-2, and10-11, Southeast Colorado 6-11 and Southeast Colorado 7-17. During Regionals, Alamosa went 1-1, Beating Gunnison 19-12 and falling to Southeast Colorado 0-10.
As mentioned above, the last time these two teams met, Alamosa beat Forge Christian 9-5.
Stat Leaders:
Forge Christian
Home Runs: Kaedence Miller 2, Julianna Alfaro 1
Stolen Bases: Rio Beck 20, Maxine Rossi 19, Vivian Stults 17
ERA: Devyn Haines 2.36, Julianna Alfaro 2.87
Runs: Rio Beck 53, Maxine Rossi 40, Julianna Alfaro 31
Hits: Rio Beck 56, Julianna Alfaro 39, Maxine Rossi 36
RBI: Julianna Alfaro 40, Rio Beck 38, Honor Kuyper 32
Alamosa
Home Runs: Araceli Molina 4, Taelynn Kreps-Smith 2, Jayden Wubben 2
Stolen Bases: Taelynn Kreps-Smith 10, Araceli Molina 10, Shaya Martin 7
ERA: Olivia Castillo 4.02
Runs: Jayden Wubben 23, Araceli Molina 23, Taelynn Kreps-Smith 21
Hits: Taelynn Kreps-Smith 28, Araceli Molina 27, Shaya Martin 26
RBI: Araceli Molina 23, Shaya Martin 17, Taelynn Kreps-Smith 17
5. Wellington Vs 12. Cedaredge
Wellington comes into the last week of the season with a 20-4-1 overall record. During the regular season, the Eagles got wins over Eaton 9-8, Lyons 7-4 Sterling 10-5, and Brush 14-12. During regionals, Wellington went 2-0, beating Montezuma-Cortez 12-2 and Weld Central 13-0 to become regional champions.
The Bruins come into the State Tournament with a 15-6 overall record. During the regular season, Cedaredge lost to Delta 3-14 and then beat them later in the season 12-2. During regionals, the team went 1-1, beating Platte Valley 12-4 and losing to Brush 2-12.
Stat Leaders:
Wellington
Home Runs: Kensley Story 7, Taylor Morgan 2, Hayven Sutton 1
Stolen Bases: Charley Somday 28, Kensley Story 24, Camryn Strain 15
ERA: Taylor Morgan 2.54
Runs: Kensley Story 50, Charley Somday 26, Camryn Strain 26
Hits: Kensley Story 42, Reganne Johnson 22, Scarlet McGuire 21
RBI: Kensley Story 35, Scarlet McGuire 19, Lauryn Neal 15
Cedaredge
Home Runs: Tia Homedew 4, Meri Hollembeak 4
Stolen Bases: Meri Hollembeak 12, Kiera Stroh 11, Tia Homedew 8
ERA: Tia Homedew 3.56
Runs: Meri Hollembeak 42, Kiera Stroh 41, Tia Homedew 35
Hits: Jewel Laliberte 35, Tia Homedew 34, Meri Hollembeak 27
RBI: Tia Homedew 31, Kiera Stroh 30, Jewel Laliberte 29
3. Southeast Colorado Vs 14. La Junta
Southeast Colorado has a 17-2 overall record as they come into the last week of the season. During the regular season, the Angels lost to Eaton 1-7 but beat Strasburg 22-12. Alamosa 11-6, Forge Christian 3-1, Lamar 5-2, La Junta 12-2, Alamosa 17-7, Lamar 9-3 and La Junta 8-4. In regionals, the team beat Florence 13-1 and Alamosa 10-0 to become regional champs as they enter the State Tournament.
La Junta enters the State Tournament with a 12-13 overall record. During the regular season, the Tigers beat Weld Central 10-4, lost to Eaton 11-,1 Lamar 4-2, Alamosa 7-3, Lamar 0-3, beat Alamosa 9-3, and lost to Southeast Colorado 8-4. In regionals, La Junta beat Resurrection Christian 14-13 but fell to Eaton 15-0.
Stat Leaders:
Southeast Colorado
Home Runs: Kennedy Gyurman 4, Bailey Sierra 2, Dixie Bitner 1
Stolen Bases: Zoe Martinez 15, Lexi Shotton 13, Savanna Brown 5
ERA: Anna Wollert 3.65
Runs: Zoe Martinez 28, Emma Wollert 25, Lexi Shotton 25
Hits: Kara Wilson 24, Emma Wollert 24, Zoe Martinez 23
RBI: Kennedy Gyurman 23, Lexi Shotton 18, Bailey Sierra 17
La Junta
Home Runs: Rylie Ortiz 3, Ayanna Torrez 1
Stolen Bases: Marli Gonzales 19, Chloe Numez 17, Ayanna Torrez 14
ERA: Isabelle Aragon 1.95
Runs: Marli Gonzales 23, Rylie Ortiz 20, Madayln Tafoya 15
Hits: Marli Gonzales 27, Ayanna Torrez 22, Madayln Tafoya 21
RBI: Ayanna Torrez 22, Rylie Ortiz 15, Madayln Tafoya 13
6. Brush Vs 11. Delta
The Beetdiggers come into the State Tournament with an 18-6 overall record on the season. During the regular season, Brush beat Lyons 6-5, lost to Wellington 12-14 University 2-17, and Eaton 0-6, and beat Strasburg 12-11, Sterling 15-6, Weld Central 13-1, and Lamar 16-1. In regionals, Brush went 2-0, beating Alameda 16-1 and Cedaredge 12-2 to become regional Champions.
Delta has a 16-9 overall record coming into the last week of the season. During the regular season, the Panthers beat Weld Central 18-12, lost to University 1-17 and Strasburg 9-8, beat Cedaredge 14-3, and lost to Cedaredge 2-12. In regionals, the Panthers went 1-1, beating Peak to Peak 13-3 and losing to Forge Christian 4-9.
Stat Leaders:
Brush
Home Runs: Haedynn Epple 3, Jolie Tuck 3
Stolen Bases: Jolie Tuck 19, Gracie Martinez 11, Izabella Talmich 8
ERA: Emry Chard 3.23, Elizabeth Peckham 3.96
Runs: Jolie Tuck 37, Izabella Talmich 32, Gracie Martinez 27
Hits: Elizabeth Peckham 40, Jolie Tuck 35, Izabella Talmich 34
RBI: Haedynn Epple 28, Jolie Tuck 26, Elizabeth Peckham 25
Delta
Home Runs: Sophia Siennicki 3, Olivia Hines 1, Jazlyn Naranjo 1
Stolen Bases: Jazlyn Naranjo 14, Olivia Hines 13, Maddy Zmiewsky 6
ERA: Lily Gallegos 4.68, Olivia Hines 7.00
Runs: Olivia Hines 36, Jazlyn Naranjo 33, Maddy Zmiewsky 31
Hits: Olivia Hines 36, Jazlyn Naranjo 34, Sophia Siennicki 27
RBI: Sophia Siennicki 35, Jazlyn Naranjo 30, Olivia Hines 28
7. Strasburg vs10. Lyons
Strasburg hits the final week of the season with a 17-8 overall record. Some notable games for Strasburg during the regular seasons are wins over Delta 9-8, Lamar 12-10, Weld Central 13-1, and Sterling 13-5, and losses against Eaton 0-10, Southeast Colorado 12-22, Forge Christian 14-15, Brush 11-12, Lyons 9-7 (8) and University 2-9. In regionals, Strasburg won their region, beating Bennett 20-2 and The Classical Academy 11-1.
Lyons enters the tournament with an 18-6 overall record. The team lost to Wellington 4-7, Brush 5-6, University 3-4, and Eaton 1-16, but beat Weld Central 11-2, Strasburg 9-7 (8) and Sterling 14-3. In regionals, the Lions beat Wray/Yuma and fell to Lamar 2-4.
Stat Leaders:
Strasburg
Home Runs: Addi Kent 9, Madi Olsen 6, Phebe Johnson 5,
Stolen Bases: Addi Kent 16, Madi Olsen 10, Payton Weaver 10
ERA: Phebe Johnson 6.12
Runs: Addi Kent 56, Payton Weaver 41, Wynne Winter 40
Hits: Addi kent 46, Maddi Olsen 40, Payton Weaver 36
RBI: Addie Kent 40 Madi Olsen 36, Payton Weaver 36
Lyons
Home Runs: Dahlia Oviatt 5, Gretta Wynja 5, Autumn Johnsey 3
Stolen Bases: Dahlia Oviatt 9, Ava Vasquez 6, Taylor Dickes 4
ERA: Gretta Wynja 1.72
Runs: Ava Vasquez 43, Dhalia Oviatt 34, Greta Hildebrand 29
Hits: Gretta Wynja 38, Dahlia Oviatt 33, Ava Vasquez 33
RBI: Gretta Wynja 36, Dahlia Oviatt 35, Taylor Dickes 23
2. Eaton Vs 15. Sterling
Eaton is back at the State Tournament with a 21-4 overall record this season. The Reds losses this season were to Wellington 8-9, Elizabeth 1-9, Holy Family 0-3 and University 7-8 (8) but they were able to get wins over other tournament teams including over Kanar 12-2, La Junta 11-1, Strasburg 10-0, Southeast Colorado 7-1, Sterling 17-0, Forge Christian 13-2, Brush 6-0, and Lyons 16-1. Eaton won their region last weekend in regionals, beating Meeker 10-0 and La Junta 15-0.
Sterling finds themselves in the State Tournament with a 13-12 overall record. During the regular season, the Tigers lost to University 1-14, Wellington 5-10, Eaton 0-17, Strasburg 5-13, Brush 6-15, and Lyons 3-14, but was able to get the win over Weld Central 7-4. During regionals, Sterling went 1-1, beating The Academy 13-0 but then fell to University 0-15.
Stat Leaders:
Eaton
Home Runs: Emma Anderson 10, Bria Foster 9, Johanna Galvan 8
Stolen Bases: Emma Anderson 24, Paige Hofer 12, Kenzie Braddy 7
ERA: Kenzie Brady 0.52, Johanna Galvan 0.73, Bria Foster 1.52
Runs: Emma Anderson 47, Brooklyn Minne 34, Kenzie Braddy 29
Hits: Emma Anderson 46, Bria Foster 43, Johanna Galvan 38
RBI: Bria Foster 15, Johanna Galvan 11, Emma Anderson 10
Sterling
Home Runs: Makenzie Beck 2, Haylee Lambert 1
Stolen Bases: Maddie Nolan 5, Lauren Emmerson 5, Kira Perez 5
ERA: Emerson Ross 7.21
Runs: Makenzie Beck 13, Kira Perez 13, Lauren Emmerson 12
Hits: Makenzie Beck 12, Haylee Lambert 9, Lauren Emmerson 8
RBI: Makenzie Beck 14, Haylee Lambert 9, Maddie Nolan 8
MileHigh Prep Report 