MEEKER | Last week the Meeker 8–10 softball recreation center 8-10 softball team’s season came to an end Wednesday night with a 2-0 loss to Carbondale at Paintbrush Park, falling just short of advancing to the end-of-season tournament in Glenwood. The low-scoring playoff game capped a season of growth for the young Meeker squad, which steadily improved throughout the summer.
Head coach Colt Walker said the girls battled throughout the playoff contest despite coming up short. “The girls played hard and showed great effort,” Walker said. “Carbondale was able to get a few more hits than us, and that was the difference.”
Walker was equally proud of the team’s attitude throughout the game. “The girls showed great competitiveness and sportsmanship, and it was really cool to see them cheering each other on,” he said.
After opening the season with a pair of close losses, Meeker earned its first victory with a 10-1 road win over Glenwood before closing the regular season with an 8-7 victory over Carbondale.
Walker said the team’s improvement over the course of the season stood out more than any wins or losses. “The girls showed a lot of improvement from game one. They practiced hard, asked good questions and always tried to get better,” Walker said.
He described the team’s attitude throughout the summer in two words: “High spirited.”
Assistant coach Cherlynn Muxlow echoed Walker’s thoughts, saying the team’s development was the season’s biggest accomplishment. “One thing we can all be proud of is how much this team grew throughout the season,” Muxlow said. “We had a lot of beginners this year, and it was amazing to watch every single player improve. They worked hard, encouraged one another, and gained so much confidence and a much better understanding of the game. It was rewarding to see how far they all came.”
The 2026 Meeker Recreation Center 8-10 softball team was made up of #32 Brooklyn Lawson, #11 Cali Tucker, #4 Keeley Muxlow, #15 Kylie Graham, #18 Lainey Carroll, #21 Marcy Hill, #5 Maya Stanworth, #7 Onalise Braaten, #3 Presley Walker, #14 Ravae Metz and #27 Whitney Carroll.
Although the playoff run ended earlier than the team had hoped, the season provided valuable opportunities for players to learn the game, compete alongside their teammates and continue building confidence with each practice and game.
The loss to Carbondale prevented Meeker from qualifying for the end-of-season tournament, but the season concluded with a foundation of growth, teamwork and sportsmanship that the players can carry into future seasons.
#3 Presley Walker runs toward first base during Meeker Recreation Center 8-10 softball’s playoff matchup against Carbondale at Paintbrush Park. Walker and the Meeker squad competed in a close contest before falling 2-0 to end their postseason run.
#5 Maya Stanworth steps into the batter’s box during Meeker Recreation Center 8-10 softball’s playoff matchup against Carbondale at Paintbrush Park. Stanworth looked to put the ball in play and help spark the Meeker offense during the close postseason contest.
#7 Onalise Braaten delivers a pitch during Meeker Recreation Center 8-10 softball’s playoff matchup against Carbondale at Paintbrush Park. Braaten, also known by her nickname “Pickles,” helped lead the Meeker squad from the circle during the close postseason contest.
#14 Ravae Metz stands on third base during Meeker Recreation Center 8-10 softball’s playoff matchup against Carbondale at Paintbrush Park. Metz and the Meeker squad battled throughout the postseason contest before falling 2-0 to end their season.