U14 Softball wins final home game of season

In an epic season closer, Gunnison's U14 softball team dominated Salida in a five-inning runaway on July 14.

Kylie Robbins started the game on the mound for Gunnison, and struck out three consecutive batters. Lead off batter Brynn Romero then took off with a single to kickstart Gunnison's offense into motion. With runners on first and third base, Lauren Cowan knocked home Gunnison's first run of the game with a line drive crushed over third base.

In the top of the second, Robbins again tallied three strikeouts, but one Salida runner was still able to sneak home after an out of control pitch. Tied at 1-1, Gunnison retaliated with a double from Dakota Bennett, and a single from Robbins. After Bennett stole home, Eisley Duke brought home Robbins with a sacrifice RBI.

Gunnison entered the top of the third leading 3-1 when Salida started a short-lived comeback. After loading up the bases, two Salida players stole home to tie the game. Gunnison's response was ruthless. The home girls tacked on five runs, with RBIs from Susan Espinoza, Keira Smith and Cowan.

Romero relieved Robbins on the mound, leading 8-3 in the fourth. Salida scored one run, but struggled to whittle down the Gunnison lead. To start the bottom of the fifth, Duke delivered a single at the top of the order, and then stole home on a wild pitch. Gunnison loaded the bases, and Romero drove in a final RBI to lead 10-3.

Salidia's last start was valiant, knocking several singles and eventually loading the bases. With Gunnison struggling to finish the job, Salida brought home five runners before Gunnison cemented a 10-8 victory in the final summer league game of the season.

(Evan Bjornstad can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)