MEEKER | It was a busy week for the Cowboy softball team. The JV and varsity teams traveled to Eagle Valley on Tuesday for some non-league games.
JV softball players Skylar Grimes, Dayonna Trabaudo, Kayla Castillo, Teryn Carter and Hayden Garcia were successful at bat and running bases that helped the Cowboys score runs.
“The team fought hard together and a very impressive performance from Aurora Stallings at third base to record numerous outs throughout the game,” said head coach Kendal Bergman. “We weren’t able to pull out the W but we are showing great improvement and I only see good things coming our way.”
The varsity team was competitive against the 4A Devils and fought all the way to the end making it a very close game. The game started strong for the Cowboys with solid hits from Miah Wren, Miley Chism, Jade Miller, Emma Bauer and Addie Knowles in the first inning. Knowles pitched the entire game and collected four strikeouts.
“The entire lineup was able to make solid contact and kept the Devil’s defense on their toes throughout the entire game,” said Bergman.
The Cowboy base running from Wren, Kastyn Dembowski and Ashlynn Ducey caused chaos on the field to advance runners with defensive errors. The Devils were able to pull away further in the fifth inning but the Cowboys fought back and scored in both the fifth and sixth innings to keep themselves in the game. After a hard fought battle and the entire team working so hard all the way until the end, the Devils closed the game and won 13-10.
“It was great to see the team continue to fight even when we went down 5-13,” commented Bergman. “Even with the loss, this effort increased the morale of the team and will help carry us into our next games.”
Wednesday the Meeker Cowboys hosted Central’s JV for a doubleheader. Vanessa Herrera and Kailynn Watson took to the circle for the games and worked very hard to keep the Central hitters off balance. Behind the pitchers, there was solid defense from Aurora Stallings, Carter and Castillo.
Meeker struggled in the first inning to allow eight runs with a few errors but then kept the game close and limited scoring from Central throughout the rest of the game.
“The girls saw the ball very well at the plate during the first game,” said Bergman.
Game impactful hits coming from Dayonna Trabaudo, Carter used her speed to get on base multiple times, Castillo with a lead off single in the fourth inning, Watson with a double to left center field with two strikes, and Hayden Garcia with strong contact for a double.
“The second game started a little slower for us after fighting so hard the first game,” commented Bergman.
The Cowboys defense struggled to make outs and numerous runs for Central were scored with two outs in the first four innings.
“We did have a few sparks throughout the game with heads up base running and good contact up to bat but weren’t able to stay in the game with Central and they pulled away and won 17-3,” commented Bergman. “We continue to talk about never giving up and fighting all the way to the end. These girls have the fight and the drive and we can only get better from here. I am very proud of our softball team and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds for us.”
The final games for the week came Saturday during Limon week.
“The girls showed such great fight and determination this weekend against Limon to come away with two outstanding wins,” said Bergman. “The girls had to show their true spirit by fighting hard all seven innings of the first game even through multiple lead changes throughout the game.” The entire lineup demonstrated patience up to bat, making the Limon pitchers work extra to get strikes. Meeker took full advantage of those strikes with solid hits. Nearly every inning of the game, the Cowboys had bases loaded and were able to come up with crucial hits to score big runs and stay ahead of the Badgers. Miley Chism was clutch at the plate with multiple RBIs, Ducey and Dembowski each had successful games at the plate with two crucial RBIs as well, and Ryann Mergelman with a RBI single to center field in the sixth inning for the Cowboys to lead 14-10.
Knowles started the game in the circle with great enthusiasm throughout all of her innings. To finish out the game, Watson took to the circle and put the Badgers away to finish the game. Watson secured a strikeout and threw pitches that were handled by the defense to get the remaining two outs of the seventh inning.
The first game lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The Cowboys saddled up for game two and the Badgers didn’t lay down. Limon scored six runs right off the bat in the top of the first inning. “Our girls weren’t going to give up either,” said Bergman.
Meeker answered back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Wren beat out a throw to get safe at first and a two RBI double by Mergelman started the comeback straight away.
Smart base running and patience at the plate were the biggest factors in the second game that led to a run rule victory for the Cowboys in the fourth inning.
The speed of the Cowboy lineup put extra pressure on the Limon defense and led to extra base hits. The RBI leaders in the second game were Dembowski, Mergelman, Stallings, Emma Bauer, and Chism. Wren went five for five up at the plate with three crucial walks and two hits to round out the day. Both Knowles and Watson pitched in the second game with Knowles getting the W for both games.
“She made us all so proud once again with her sheer will and never willing to give up,” commented Bergman. “No matter what she’s up against. Also, the defense put in great work backing up our pitchers, they made quality plays and got their job done.”
The Cowboys head into league play next weekend against Gunnison with the positivity of two great wins.
“We will always remember that anything can happen on game day and as long as we stay together and fight as one, then we can accomplish anything” wrapped-up Bergman. “We will put in a great week of practice and be ready to start league!”
Saturday’s games in Gunnison are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
