Cougar softball ends regular season with another win

Last Tuesday, in front of a crowd of parents, students and other onlookers, the Niwot High School girls softball team played the final game of the regular season, coming away with a dramatic win. The Cougars run-ruled the Roosevelt High School Rough Riders by a score of 11-1, a victory that was all the more satisfying because it was against a team that they endured a heartbreaking, 1-0 loss against earlier in the season.

Head Coach Bobby Matthews said, "I am very impressed with how the team has bounced back against the tough loss they had against Riverdale Ridge, to end the regular season with two, back to back, run-rule victories against Roosevelt and Frederick, two great teams."

Following their string of wins, the team is in third place in the 4A Longs Peak League. In front of them are Frederick, and the Riverdale Ridge High School Ravens. The Cougars head into postseason play with a 10-5-1 record.

The game saw another strong outing from pitcher Kiana Butler, and offensive contributions from across the Cougar's lineup. Autumn Rutherford, Jenna Hobson and Zoe Cameron had two RBIs each, and Butler helped her own cause with two hits in three at-bats. Junior Jenna Hobson had a diving catch in the outfield to end the top of the fifth inning, and then had the walk-off hit that brought in the 11th run and allowed the game to be finished as a run-rule.

The chance to savor a dramatic victory was offset with the bittersweetness of the team's Senior Night. Four seniors, Anne Booth (3B), Cameron (1B), Hobson (OF), and Rutherford (SS) were honored, and it was announced that Rutherford is slated to play Division I softball for CSU, and Booth will be moving on to play lacrosse at Brown University. With their families and other team families and spectators present, the underclassmen shared what they loved about the soon-to-be graduating players.

Matthews talked about the senior team members' experience having started during the Covid pandemic, the closeness of the girls this year, and what each of the seniors' contributions have meant to the school softball program for the year. There were tears, gifts, chalk art and cake to celebrate both the seniors and an exciting season.

In reflecting on the year so far, Matthews talked about team chemistry. "They have a great relationship on the field and off, and I think that's a huge contribution to their play. I'm really looking forward to the state tournament kicking off next week. Having some time between the end of the regular season and that tournament is huge. It gives us a chance to work on some things to improve, but also to rest, and be 100% going into those games."

Niwot Cougars 1 1 8 0 1 - 11

Roosevelt Rough Riders 0 0 0 1 0 - 1

Niwot: (AB, R, H, RBI) Z. Cameron; 4 01 1 2; M. Dodge 1 1 0 0; C Legh 3 0 1 0; K Butler 1 2 0 1; P. Johnson 0 2 0 0, A Booth 1 1 0 0; J. Hobson 3 2 1 2; A. Rutherford 3 2 1 2; M. Herrera 3 0 1 1; S. Paterno 2 1 0 1

Butler (W/L) (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) W ( 5 1 1 0 4)