Two more shutout wins for Niwot softball

The Niwot High School softball team added two more wins to its record last week, with a 7-0 shutout win at home over Monarch High School, and a 10-0 shutout win at Horizon High School, extending their winning streak to eight games. The varsity record now stands at 10-3, with the Cougars moving up to 12th place in the state 4A rankings.

Kianna Butler, who is second in the state in strikeouts in Class 4A, has been a dominating force on the mound for the Cougars this season. Butler, who is backed by a flawless defense, shows there is no doubt that the team's chemistry is top-notch.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at home against Monarch, Butler started the game with a leadoff single to left field, followed by a single from Payton Stokes. May Herrera opened the scoring with another single, bringing in the first run of the game.

Niwot would go on to score a second run in the second inning by Payton Johnson, who stole home.

The Cougars kept the momentum going into the third inning with RBIs from Anna Halverson, Simone Paterno, and Mandy Roth, with another run scoring on an error. The Cougars secured the win over Monarch, 7-0, which is their eighth straight win, and third shutout win this season.

Against Monarch, Butler had 13 strikeouts, allowing just five hits and three walks.

The Cougars came out swinging in game two on Thursday, Sept. 19, an away game against Horizon. In the top of the first inning, the team batted through the lineup with two outs, putting seven runs on the board. First-inning RBIs came from singles by Halverson, Paterno, and Butler, with a triple from Roth scoring three more runs.

Herrera and Halverson led off the second inning with singles, followed by a single by Johnson to score a run, making the score 8-0.

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, Paterno drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, followed by a steal of home by Madison Dodge, securing the win over Horizon, 10-0.

Butler struck out six, walked two, and only allowed one hit over the five innings played. The game ended after five innings due to the run-rule.

"I am so proud of the grit they have shown this week," said coach Bobby Matthews after Thursday's win. "To have two shutouts is a testament to their high level of play and superior pitching." Matthews credited the players for getting hits when they needed them.

The Cougars will take on Frederick High School at home on Tuesday, Sept. 24, before heading to Grand Junction where they will play Grand Junction High School and Fruita Monument High School on Friday, and Grand Junction Central High School and Palisade High School on Saturday.

Niwot will then go to Broomfield High School on Tuesday, Oct. 1, before playing the last regular season home game on Thursday, Oct. 3.