MEEKER | The Meeker 2 Goldrush 11-13 Rec Center softball team opened its season at home at Paintbrush Park on Thursday, June 18, with a 26-14 win over Glenwood 1, powered by a dominant offensive performance and strong pitching from #7 Skyler Wilson and #5 Carson Cook.
#14 Jada Gould led the way at the plate, driving in five runs on three hits. She hit an inside-the-park home run in the first inning, doubled in the second and added a single in the third to highlight a balanced Meeker 2 Goldrush lineup.
“We have a bunch of great girls on the team, some veterans and some new,” head coach Deloy Cook said. “Very proud of the girls on the team. They’re all supportive of each other.”
Meeker 2 Goldrush got rolling early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning before breaking the game open in the bottom of the second inning. The team put up 12 runs in the frame, stringing together hits from #3 Riley Wilson, #15 Jaylyn Tatum, Skyler Wilson, Gould and others while also capitalizing on walks and aggressive baserunning.
The offense stayed hot in the third inning, adding 10 more runs as Meeker 2 continued to work through the lineup. Players including #11 Leah Keeran, #10 Teigann White, #12 Axlynn Stallings, #26 Cora Ragsdale and Skyler Wilson all contributed to the scoring surge.
Overall, Meeker 2 Goldrush finished with 16 hits, drew 17 walks and stole 31 bases in the game, keeping constant pressure on the Glenwood 1 defense.
Skyler Wilson and Carson Cook handled pitching duties for Meeker 2 Goldrush, with Wilson opening the game and striking out five while allowing one hit over two innings of work.
“Skyler Wilson and Carson Cook pitched great for us,” Cook said. “Looking forward to playing Thursday night. Things we need to improve on is just confidence and trust in coaches on base running.”
Defensively, Meeker 2 Goldrush was clean in the field, not committing an error. Riley Wilson led the team with six chances.
Glenwood 1 answered with an 11-run fourth inning despite not recording a hit, taking advantage of walks and hit batters to score its runs. The team also showed patience at the plate, drawing 16 walks and stealing 34 bases.
Meeker 2 Goldrush will look ahead to its next home game Thursday, June 25, against Rifle.
#3 Riley Wilson connects on a pitch during Meeker 2 Goldrush’s season-opening game against Glenwood 1 on June 18 at Paintbrush Park. Meeker 2 defeated Glenwood 1, 26-14. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
