Cougar softball enjoys two strong wins

The Niwot High School girls softball team bounced back with two blowout wins, not letting a single defeat in last weekend's tournament throw them off course. Cougar pitching continued to get stronger through both games, the team's bats were also out in force, and both games ended in mercy-rule victories.

"It was a good week for the team," said Coach Bobby Matthews. "Getting two run-rule victories was great. The way the team played Monday against cross-town rival Silver Creek in an 11-0 win was amazing. The energy in the dugout is something that I believe has been missing in some of our losses this season."

Last week's play started on Monday with a game against the Silver Creek High School Raptors. By the end of the third inning, the Cougars were ahead 8-0. Senior Anne Booth hit a home run in the fourth inning to add one to the score. In the fifth inning, senior Jenna Hobson singled through the infield to get on base, and a walk-off home run by senior Autumn Rutherford ended the game by a score of 11-0. Silver Creek managed just two hits against Cougar pitcher Kiana Butler.

On Tuesday, the team played Skyline High School, a team they had prevailed against by double digits in the second game of the season. This away game only lasted to the bottom of the third inning. After coming into the third inning with seven runs, the Cougars added eight more to close out the game at 15-0. Freshman Camryn Legh pitched all three innings, earning the win while giving up just two hits, no walks, and posting three strikeouts.

Although the team was eager to test their skills in the third game of the week against Severance High School, that game was called off due to heavy rains. It will be rescheduled for later in the season.

Nonetheless, the Cougars are continuing to focus on what they can do going forward, according to Matthews. "The team is building towards the post season and getting better every game. They are coming together more and more each day and the coaches can see that in the way they play for each other. Eight games remaining in the regular season, and I am looking for them to continue to improve and build for the state tournament."

Niwot Cougars 3 5 0 1 2 - 11

Silver Creek Raptors 0 0 0 0 0 - 0

Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) E. Majka 0 0 1 0; Z. Cameron; 3 1 3 1; M Dodge 3 0 1 1; C Legh 2 0 0 0 K Butler 2 1 1 2; A Booth 3 1 1 2; J. Hobson 3 1 1 0; A. Rutherford 4 3 3 2; M. Herrera 2 2 1 0; S. Paterno 1 1 0 0

Butler (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) W (5 2 0 0 0 7)

Niwot Cougars 4 3 8 - 15

Skyline Falcons 0 0 0 - 0

Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) E. Majka 1 0 0 0 Z. Cameron 2 1 2 1; M. Dodge 1 1 0 1; C Legh 1 1 0 0; P. Johnson 1 2 0 0; J. Philofsky 0 3 0 1; J. Hobson 1 1 0 0; Autumn Rutherford 2 2 1 0;

M. Herrera 1 3 1 0; S. Paterno 1 1 0 0.

Legh (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) W (3 2 0 0 0 3)