The Meeker High School soft ball team continued to show improvement at the plate this past weekend, but defensive mistakes
proved costly in a pair of road losses to Gunnison.
The Cowboys dropped the first game 13-12 before falling 19-12 in the afternoon game. Meeker enters this weekend’s home double-header against Delta with a 5-14 overall record.
Despite the losses, first-year head coach Josh Martin said he liked what he saw offensively.
“We still did a pretty good job offensively,” Martin said. “I think they know that they can hit now, so they’re stepping up to the plate with a different attitude.”
Meeker collected 35 hits and scored 24 runs across the two games.
Sophomore Haigen Harrison went 8-for-10 with five runs and four RBIs. Junior Sienna Rolen went 5-for-8, including a 3-for-3 performance with three runs, a triple and two RBIs in Game 2. Senior Kayla Castillo went 4-for-6 with five RBIs, six runs and two doubles.
Martin said the Cowboys have become more selective at the plate.
“We started our strike zone a little smaller, and then widened up after one strike,” Martin said. “I’m telling the girls to be much more picky at the plate and finding pitches that they like and that they want to hit versus just swinging anything that might be close.” The Cowboys have also been aggressive on the bases. Martin said senior Kailynn Watson, Castillo, Rolen and Harrison are among the top eight in the state in stolen bases, with Watson and Castillo tied for second, according to the statistics he referenced.
Watson had five stolen bases against Gunnison, while Martin noted Harrison has not recorded a strikeout this season.
While the offense produced, defensive miscues kept Meeker from closing out the first game. Three dropped balls in the final inning helped Gunnison score the go-ahead run.
“We had three dropped balls in the last inning that gave them the go-ahead run,” Martin said.
Martin said communication remains one of the biggest areas Meeker needs to improve heading into Saturday’s matchup against Delta.
“Just that communication and confidence of I’ve got it, or you take it,” Martin said. “I think if we just clean that up a little bit and start talking a little more, I think that will really make a big difference.” The Cowboys will play their final four games of the regular season at home, beginning with Saturday’s doubleheader against Delta. “Having that 10th player in the stands is a huge difference,” Martin said. “I’m excited that our last four games are at home, so we can
really show, if nothing else, the progress that we made throughout the season and how much better the girls are playing, both as individuals and as a team.”
Delta enters the week ranked No. 12 in the Class 3A seeding index as of Sept. 28 and is expected to provide a different challenge
with more consistent pitching.
“They’re going to see a little bit more consistent pitching, and so I’m going to need them to still stay focused and not give up strikes that aren’t there,” Martin said. “But when they are there, be able to put the bat on the ball and deliver.”
Meeker and Delta will meet Saturday, Oct. 3, with the first game scheduled for 11 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m. in Meeker.
Meeker sophomore Haigen Harrison connects with a pitch during an earlier game against Aspen this season. Harrison went 8-for-10 across Meeker’s doubleheader against Gunnison over the weekend.
