The Meeker Cowboy softball team suffered a tough loss in the first game of the varsity double header against Gunnison but came back strong for a commanding win the second game.
Dylon Herndon slides to safety during a double header against Gunnison in Meeker. The team lost the first game but rallied to win the second. | STAN GARCIA PHOTO
The first game started off with the Cowboys taking an early 2-0 lead with RBI hits by Ryann Mergelman and Athena Lyon. Senior pitcher Brea Garcia’s performance kept the opposing team at bay, forcing them to change their game plan up at the plate. With a few defensive miscues, runs came across the plate for Gunnison but the Cowboys never gave up. Freshman Emma Bauer had a sliding catch in foul territory and had an important RBI single in the sixth inning. With Bauer on base, Jade Miller followed her up with another solid RBI single. With two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cowboys were in reach but unfortunately unable to get the W.
After a quick rest, the Cowboys were at it again, fighting hard the second game. Gunnison was able to get out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning, allowing no runs with the freshman Addie Knowles pitching. Miah Wren led off the game with a hit by pitch but stole second to put herself in scoring position. With one swing of the bat by Garcia, the Cowboys were up 1-0.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
As the defense tightened up the second game, the bats came alive. By the third inning, the Cowboys were up 8-0 with hits by Kastyn Dembowski, Mergelman, Lyon, and Vivian Brown. “Wren had a beautiful bunt for a single along with other solid contacts at bat, “ commented head coach Kendal Bergman. “There was more of the same in the later innings, with everyone in the hitting line up making solid contact and coming up clutch with runners in scoring position.”
In the fourth inning, Garcia returned to the mound.
“Along with solid defense behind Garcia and her skills on the mound, the lineup kept scoring more runs through the rest of the innings,” Bergman said.
The Cowboys took the second game 14-6.
“It was truly a sight to see when these girls were pumping on all cylinders up at the plate and passing the bat throughout the entire game,” commented Bergman. “It was very impressive to see the defense come together and make plays after battling with a few errors in the first game. This weekend was another great experience for us which helped us get better and more prepared for future competitions. Even with a 1-1 day, we’ve taken another step forward as a team, making us all very excited for what’s to come.”
Cowboy softball has a busy week ahead, hosting Basalt Thursday at 4 p.m., traveling to Battle Mountain Friday for varsity and JV, and then a JV double header against Rifle beginning at 11 a.m. at home on Saturday.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
