MEEKER | The Meeker High School softball team packed plenty of action into its opening week, playing five games in four days, including a trip to the Eaton Tournament where the Cowboys notched their first win of the season.
Meeker started the year on the road at Rifle, falling 15-3 to the Bears. The Cowboys then opened tournament play Friday against Lamar, dropping a 6-2 contest despite a strong outing from senior pitcher Addie Knowles, who threw six innings, striking out several while allowing just one earned run.
At the plate, junior Kayla Castillo led the way with a double, one hit and one run in four at-bats.
“Great group of players, including experienced veterans and newcomers. Everyone is working hard to improve,” assistant coach Brad Bauer said.
The Cowboys bounced back in their next game, earning their first win of the season with a 13-5 victory over Fort Lupton.
Knowles again made a major impact both in the circle and at the plate. She struck out six batters over six innings while giving up one earned and four unearned runs on five hits. Offensively, she reached base in three of her four plate appearances, stole two bases, scored twice and drove in a run.
Castillo reached base in all four plate appearances, adding two stolen bases, one run and one RBI. Freshman Haigen Harrison contributed as well, reaching base three times with a stolen base, two RBIs and a run scored.
The momentum didn’t last, however, as Meeker dropped its next game 24-0 to tournament host Eaton.
“Playing a team of Eaton’s caliber exposes our players to high-level pitching, fielding, and hitting,” Bauer said. “Games like this one provide a variety of situations to practice, and the exposure to high-level play helps our players set team and personal goals.”
Bauer highlighted Knowles, Castillo and senior Emma Bauer as steadying forces for the team, while praising Harrison’s hitting and Rangely High School junior Rachel Elder’s speed as key assets. Elder is traveling from Rangely to play softball this season.
The Cowboys closed out the weekend with a 17-7 loss to Limon. Castillo reached base three times, stole three bases and scored once.
“Against Limon was a good opportunity for me to just get on base, whether it was through a hit or walk,” Castillo said. “So I really just went into the box with an open mind and smart pitch selection.”
Junior Kailynn Watson went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored. Sophomore Avarie Caulfield got on base twice and scored twice.
With the losses, Meeker fell to 1-4 overall. The Cowboys continue their road stretch this weekend with back-to-back doubleheaders — at Delta on Friday, Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and at Cortez on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“With a few games under our belt, we should be more confident and aggressive when hitting and fielding,” Bauer said.
The Cowboys will look to build on their early-season experiences as they travel to face Delta and Cortez this weekend. With several games under their belt, the team hopes to improve consistency at the plate and in the field, take advantage of scoring opportunities, and continue developing the younger players on the roster.
