All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
NHS Softball team takes the field during the national anthem prior to Saturday's game against Frederick.
Former NHS softball players Hanna Artzer (2009 outfielder), Haile Artzer Oleszczuk (2012 1st baseman), and Mikalah Artzer Parker (2014 3rd baseman and outfielder) attended Saturday's home game against Frederick.
This week, NHS softball showed that they are willing to make a sustained and focused effort no matter what, even if positive results aren't always assured.
On Tuesday, the team came out ahead against the Skyline Falcons by a score of 20 to 4, and prevailed again on Thursday against the Severance Silver Knights, 3-2 in 7 innings. The Severance victory included an RBI from pitcher Anne Booth, two RBI from catcher Selene Amaya, and a sixth-inning rally by Severance that closed Niwot's lead to a single run.
Team parents, spectators, and Head Coach Bobby Matthews agreed it was an amazing game to watch.
The team's only loss this week came on Saturday, when the Cougars faced off against the Frederick Golden Eagles. With the pair of wins bolstering them, the Cougars quickly retired the first three batters. Shortstop Autumn Rutherford, the leadoff hitter for the Cougars, started the bottom of the first with a home run but the team was unable to add to that score until the 3rd inning. The Golden Eagles took the lead with six runs in the 2nd inning, all scoring with two out, and added six more in the 3rd inning and two more in the 4th inning. Niwot's lone run in the 3rd inning was the Cougars' only other run, as the game ended with a score of 14 to 2.
A few key fielding errors, uncharacteristic of Niwot, contributed to the game's outcome, particularly in mid-innings. When errors occurred, Frederick players aggressively took advantage of them.
"Frederick is a top 10 team, they're great quality and they really hit the ball well," said Matthews.
Even within the loss there was something to celebrate. In this case, it was Rutherford's home run. "It's intimidating to start off the game but it's exciting. I know a couple of girls on the [Frederick] team, so it was nice to get out there and do that, [and] hopefully start some energy."
This game had some special attendees as a trio of former NHS softball players, sisters, each coached by Matthews, came to enjoy a game in honor of their grandfather. Hanna Artzer (2009 outfielder), Hailey Artzer Oleszczuk (2012 1st baseman), and Mikalah Artzer Parker (2014 3rd baseman and outfielder). Matthews introduced them to the Cougar players immediately following the game. The veterans talked about what it was like to play for Niwot, and about Cougar softball history.
Niwot Cougars 12 4 4 - 20
Skyline Falcons 3 1 0 - 4
Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) J. Philofsky (LF) 4 2 2 2; A. Rutherford (SS) 4 4 4 5; Z. Chociej (2B) 4 3 4 5; Z. Cameron (1B) 3 2 2 2; J. Hobson (P) 3 1 2 1; R. Pacheco (RF) 1 1 0 0; S. Amaya (C) 3 2 2 2; M. Stimack 0 2 0 0; J. Gravelle (CF) 2 2 2 1 I. Podger 2 0 0 0; A. Booth (P) 4 1 3 1; S. Bitterman 1 0 0 0; L. Molina 1 0 0 0.
Booth (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) W (3 5 4 3 1 4)
Severance Silver Knights 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 2
Niwot Cougars 0 0 0 2 1 0 x - 3
Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) Z. Cameron (1B) 3 0 0 0; J. Gravelle (CF) 2 0 0 0; R. Pacheco (RF) 2 1 0 0; Z. Chociej (2B) 3 0 1 0; J. Philofsky (LF) 2 1 1 0; A. Booth (P) 3 0 3 1; Hobson (P) 2 1 1 0; A. Rutherford (SS) 4 0 0 0; S. Amaya (C) 3 0 2 2; S. Bitterman 1 0 0 0.
Booth (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) W (7 10 2 1 1 4 )
Frederick Golden Eagles 0 6 6 2 - 14
Niwot Cougars 1 0 1 0 - 2
Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) Z. Cameron (1B) 2 0 0 0; J. Gravelle (CF) 1 0 0 0; R. Pacheco (RF) 1 0 0 0; Z. Chociej (2B) 2 0 1 0; J. Philofsky (LF) 1 0 0 0; A. Booth (P) 2 0 0 0; Hobson (P) 2 0 0 0; A. Rutherford (SS) 2 2 2 1; S. Amaya (C) 1 0 0 0; S. Paterno 1 0 0 0.
Booth (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) L (4 17 14 14 1 1)
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