The season is well under way, and Meeker is certainly making a mark and proving it is well worth the effort. The season began Aug. 11 with 17 young ladies showing up for the first practice of the Lady Cowboy’s softball season.
The girls arrived with anxiety and excitement at the opportunity to help build another solid program for the Meeker High School Athletic Department.
Coach Briana Williams gave credit to the athletes’ involvement in previous programs, saying, “Outstanding participation and success of local youth softball teams have paved the way for the addition of this activity for our high school students.”
The team is a combination of 11 players from Meeker and some from Craig, Rangely and Steamboat Springs who jumped at the opportunity to help build a new program that is not offered at their larger schools.
“The players and coaches are extremely grateful that the school has allowed them to form a team and would like to express thanks to the generous sponsors: Redi Services, Five Star Water, Rio Blanco Abstract, Lori Kindall and Debbie Wix of the former Meeker Makos Swim Club.”
The team began its season Sept. 11 after several weather delays. The team traveled to Rifle to play the 4A school’s junior varsity and swept the Bears with 10-1, 11-6 victories. Meeker was led by pitchers Christina Pryce of Steamboat Springs and Maria Gonzalez of Meeker. The team played strong defense and great individual performances were turned in by Breanne Baker of Rangely at short stop, Jasmine Patterson of Meeker at first base and catcher Sierra Williams of Meeker.
Impressive batting permeated the night for the Cowgirls with crucial big hits by Jasmine Patterson and Sarah Gerloff of Meeker and Charisma Plantiko of Craig.
The next two games were at home, with Rifle coming to town for another doubleheader. Meeker swept them again with the second game a 21-0 shutout for the team.
The next weekend was a road trip as the team played 5A Fort Collins High School junior varsity teams in two games on Sept. 19. Meeker won the first game 15-4, led by strong batting and some great pitching by Christina Pryce (Steamboat Springs). The second game found Fort Collins pulling in some new players and a pitcher with increased speed.
Williams said, “We were a little behind the pitch at bat and they hit into the holes all game. The girls played strong both games with minimal errors.”
The team lost the second game 9-0.
Meeker won two more big games with 16-3 and 9-2 victories over Basalt High School. Maria Gonzalez (Meeker) hit a near home run to the left field fence. Superb base running was shown by all with Sierra Williams (Meeker) leading the way with extra stolen bases.
Sharp infield work by Taylor Dodds (Meeker), Julia Christenson (Craig) and Breanne Baker (Rangely) limited the runs allowed by their opponents. The team played Grand Junction Central on Saturday, where they lost a pair of games.
The team will travel to Grand Junction again this weekend.
