MEEKER | The Meeker Cowboys softball team concluded their season last Friday at the regional tournament in Rocky Ford with a heartbreaking loss to the 11th-ranked Classical Academy Titans from Colorado Springs. The Cowboys, ranked 22nd in the 3A division, qualified for postseason play and traveled to face the heavily favored Titans.
Despite the odds, Meeker held the Titans scoreless through two innings, thanks to four quick strikeouts by pitcher Addie Knowles. However, Meeker struggled at the plate against the Titans’ fast pitcher.
The Cowboys scored their first run in the fourth inning when Miah Wren hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Kailyn Watson out at home. A throwing error by the Titans allowed Kayla Castillo to score. Emma Bauer followed with a single, driving in Wren and Autumn Stallings, giving Meeker a brief lead. The game saw three lead changes before the seventh inning.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh, Meeker led 7-6. Knowles notched another strikeout to start the inning, but two Titans reached base. A short fly ball to right field scored the tying and winning runs for the Titans, ending the Cowboys’ postseason run.
Senior Miah Wren and junior Emma Bauer led Meeker in hits and RBIs, while Knowles posted eight strikeouts in a solid performance. Wren finished the season with a .509 batting average, and alongside senior Ashlynn Ducey, led the team in steals. Bauer led the team in RBIs with 31. Knowles finished the year with 96 strikeouts, leading the Western Slope League, and ranked second in ERA at 4.89.
The Cowboys had a memorable season and made their community proud.
By JARED HENDERSON
