MEEKER | Last weekend, the Meeker 1 11-13 Rec Center softball team finished its season at the top, winning the end-of-season tournament championship after three straight postseason victories, including a title-game win over fellow Meeker 2 Goldrush.
After closing the regular season with a 4-1 record, Meeker 1 opened postseason play July 14 at Paintbrush Park with a 20-7 victory over Glenwood.
The Cowboys then traveled to Glenwood Springs on July 18 for the end-of-season tournament, where they entered as the No. 2 seed and faced No. 3 New Castle in the semifinals.
Head coach Phil Patton said the team entered the tournament with three main goals: limiting walks, becoming more aggressive at the plate and cleaning up routine defensive plays.
Those adjustments showed immediately.
After New Castle jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, Meeker responded with nine runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Cowboys’ offensive surge included inside-the-park home runs from Samantha Patton and Gracelyn Walker, along with hits from Willow Renninger and Brooke Patton.
Meeker continued to build momentum throughout the game, adding eight runs in the second inning and closing out the semifinal victory 27-10 to advance to the championship game.
Waiting for the Cowboys in the title game was a familiar opponent — Meeker 2 Goldrush, the only team to defeat Meeker 1 during the regular season.
Patton said the matchup carried a different feeling because of the relationship between the two teams.
“When I say bitter-sweet, I mean that because we had to beat the other best half of Meeker players in the 13U tournament, Meeker Gold Rush,” Patton said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love to win, but beating another group of Meekerites that you care about paints a little different picture for me.”
Playing as the visiting team because of their No. 2 seed, the Cowboys took control early by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning.
Patton made a pitching adjustment in the championship game, starting Annabeth Moody in the circle. The move paid off as Moody struck out two batters in the opening inning before Meeker’s defense recorded a tag-out at third base on a stolen-base attempt.
The Cowboys continued to add pressure offensively, building a 10-4 lead through three innings. Meeker capitalized on patient at-bats, timely hits and strong base running to extend its advantage, eventually adding six runs in the fourth inning and five more in the fifth.
The Goldrush mounted a late rally, but Meeker held on for the 21-13 victory and the tournament championship.
Patton said the final inning tested the team mentally and physically after a long day of softball.
“There is no clock to expire,” Patton said. “We are mentally and physically getting tapped out. Time to dig deep.”
The Cowboys had already played multiple games and were nearing the end of a long tournament day.
“It’s been over 5 continuous hours of ball for us,” Patton said.
Patton said the championship was a result of the team’s belief in one another and the growth they showed throughout the season.
“You finally believed you were good enough,” Patton said. “I knew it the whole time, but getting you to believe was a challenge.”
He credited the players for their dedication, saying their commitment at practices and willingness to play for each other made the difference.
“You found purpose in each other and believed that all your hard work, dedication, showing up for practices when you could be sleeping in, really paid dividends,” Patton said. “You dug deep and never quit. Your attitudes were amazing on Saturday. You deserved this win.”
Patton also recognized the Goldrush team and coaches Deloy Cook, Todd Gould and Kristi Wilson for their work throughout the season.
“Both are excellent teams,” Patton said. “The girls of this year’s 13U teams have a legitimate shot to go to the state championship in high school.”
With victories over Glenwood, New Castle and Meeker 2 Goldrush, Meeker 1 closed out the 2026 season as the end-of-season tournament champions.
Meeker 1 Cara Hanberg leads the way as Samantha Patton and the rest of the Cowboys run the bases after defeating Glenwood in the opening round of postseason play. Meeker advanced with a 20-7 victory at Paintbrush Park to begin its championship run.
Meeker 1 pitcher Annabeth Moody delivers a pitch during the championship game against Meeker 2 Goldrush at the end-of-season tournament in Glenwood Springs. Moody helped the Cowboys secure the tournament title with a 21-13 victory.
Meeker 1’s Willow Renninger receives high fives from teammates, including Annabeth Moody, after scoring a run against New Castle during the end-of-season tournament semifinals in Glenwood Springs. Renninger helped lead the Cowboys’ offensive attack as Meeker advanced to the championship game.
Meeker 1 softball celebrates its championship victory July 18 by showing off their gold medals after winning the end-of-season tournament in Glenwood Springs. Front row, from left: No. 15 Cara Handberg, No. 5 Anden Rykhus, No. 10 Brooke Patton, No. 19 Emilee Woodruff and No. 26 Annabeth Moody. Back row, from left: Coach Torrey Rykhus, Coach Sara Stephenson, No. 12 Samantha Patton, No. 18 Willow Renninger, No. 23 Gracelyn Walker, No. 2 Elianne Stagg and head coach Phil Patton.
Meeker 1 softball celebrates its championship season with a little fun after capturing the end-of-season tournament title July 18 in Glenwood Springs. The Cowboys showed off their personalities with a silly team photo after earning the championship.