Niwot softball slips late in season finale

A promising first-five innings turned sour in the sixth for Niwot softball against Frederick on Thursday, Oct. 1. Niwot dropped its final game of the season at home, 16-4. The Cougars would finish 2020 with a 4-4 record in the Longs Peak Conference but fell short of Head coach Bobby Matthews' goal of a .500 overall record at 7-9.

Although 16 was the winning number in Niwot's Sept. 24 victory over Frederick, Thursday's rematch didn't yield the same offensive output for Matthews' Cougars. Niwot couldn't come through with the big hit and left multiple runners on base in five of the seven innings.

"We were one hit away from possibly blowing it open for us and (that's the) difference between an experienced team and an inexperienced team," Matthews said. "They (Frederick) deserve all the credit; they're a top-10 team. They're probably going to host (playoffs) next week."

The contest began inconspicuously with both teams failing to score through two innings. In the top of the third, Niwot freshman pitcher Anne Booth surrendered three runs through a single, RBI triple, walk and a costly outfield misplay.

Niwot answered in the bottom half with a Booth RBI double and some clever baserunning. After junior third baseman Jasmine Aldama moved Booth to third base on a fielders choice error, Booth stole home when Aldama took off for second base and drew a throw.

With Niwot trailing 3-2, Booth kept Frederick scoreless in the fourth inning but allowed two runs in the fifth. Frederick's pitcher struggled with command in the bottom of the fifth and Niwot scored twice to bring the score to a 5-4 deficit.

In the sixth, Booth's youth faltered to Frederick senior Peyton Gale who walloped a grand slam. The comeback Cougars couldn't repeat their fortune from Sept. 29 and left the field looking to the future.

Junior shortstop Ayva McComas was the definition of consistent all year for Niwot and said she is excited to be a senior leader next fall. "We'll come back next year and we're going to be stronger," McComas said.

A large part of Niwot's success in 2020 was senior catcher Dulce Amaya. Unfortunately for Amaya, she sprained her foot in Niwot's Sept. 29 victory over Thompson Valley and couldn't play in her final high school game. Amaya supported her team from the dugout on Thursday fashioned with crutches. Although she was a Cougar for just one season, Amaya said she will forever cherish her time at Niwot.

"This has definitely been my favorite year and most memorable year for sure playing at Niwot," Amaya said. "The past four years I was in a bit of a slump from my freshman year until this year. I had lost the love for softball and it didn't mean as much to me as it did now. But coming to Niwot and getting to play for Bobby and (Assistant coach) Jason (Johnson) has definitely brought back that love and these girls (and) the program has definitely shown me why I started playing the sport in the first place."

Matthews said he will miss her "quiet energy" on and off the field.

"She's probably one of the most compassionate kids that we've met or have had in the program," Matthews said. "She's incredibly, incredibly coachable. I wish we had more years with her honestly. She's an amazing kid and amazing family and it sucks that she couldn't play this last game."

Amaya's predecessor McComas was equally grateful to be a part of her senior year. "I love her so much; she's the sweetest human being ever and I'm so glad I got to play with her."