It is a dream scenario for the GHS softball team.
After starting the season 3-8, and splitting doubleheaders with league rivals Motezuma-Cortez and Meeker, the Cowboys bounced back to a 13-10 winning record. The girls capped off their regular season with an astounding, eight-game win streak, concluding on Oct. 12 with a doubleheader victory over Basalt.
Now, GHS sits third place in the 3A Western Slope League in a three-way-tie with Delta and Cedaredge. The Cowboys will have a chance to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years this upcoming Saturday. It all comes down to an opening postseason game against the Resurrection Christian Cougars on Oct. 19.
“We’re pretty excited heading into the playoffs,” said Head Coach Leslie DiLorenzo. “We’ve talked about making sure we’re on the climb as we near the end of the season, and it’s been our goal all year to make it through this opening round.”
On Oct. 12, the Cowboys were met with an ideal opportunity. Beating the Basalt Longhorns in an away doubleheader would secure a third-place finish in the league, improving the Cowboys’ seed for the playoffs.
The girls made no mistake. In the opening matchup, leadoff batter Caroline Sudderth crossed home three times, and notched four hits in four plate appearances. Sisters Maddie and Josie Vollendorf were crucial at the heart of the order. Maddie earned a double and a triple, knocking in three runs. Josie capitalized on her impressive freshman season with two singles and a triple.
On defense, Reese Japuntich led GHS on the mound. The sophomore pitcher has been a key factor in the girls winning streak, and gave up only six runs to the Longhorns in the opening game. The hot bats prevailed, and it ended 19-6 for the Cowboys.
“Although we finished the regular season against teams that weren’t necessarily tough, we were putting teams away, and seeing things from the girls that we’ve only seen spurts of all year,” DiLorenzo said. “I’m most impressed with the leadership, and our girls just having fun, relaxing and playing.”
In the second game, and final regular season matchup of the season, Isabella Crown returned to the mound. The senior led the defense, striking out four batters and walking zero to frustrate the Longhorns bench.
Again, the Cowboy bats came to life. A double from Kylee McDougal and another triple from Maddie Vollendorf lit up the away dugout. Japuntich finished the game going 4-4 at the plate, while Crown knocked in two RBI’s and junior Maddy Bacalis knocked in a pair. It ended 18-7 for the Cowboys, and moved GHS to an 8-4 league record.
Now, the girls head into the postseason ranked No. 18. The team will face off against No. 15 Resurrection Christian in Strasburg on Sept. 19.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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