Niwot softball extends road winning streak before losing two in Grand Junction

After losing at home in extra innings to Frederick High School, the Niwot varsity softball team headed west to Grand Junction for a four-game, non-league tournament last weekend.

In game one on Friday, Sept. 27, the Cougars shut out Grand Junction High School by a score of 5-0, extending their road winning streak to four.

Kianna Butler led off with a double to center field, followed by a single from Payton Stokes. An error by the Grand Junction catcher brought in the first run of the game for Niwot.

Payton Johnson then singled, bringing in two more runs, followed by a fourth run which scored on a fielding error during Saleen Amaya's at-bat.

Five scoreless innings followed until a sacrifice fly by Simone Paterno brought in the game's fifth and final run.

There was no shortage of home runs in game two against Fruita Monument High School as Niwot kept the momentum going.

Stokes started the scoring with a solo home run to left field in the top of the first inning. The scoring continued in the third inning with a solo home run from Butler and an RBI double from May Herrera.

Anna Halverson hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, bringing the score to 4-0. Fruita Monument came back in the fifth to tie the game 4-4. A walk in the bottom of the sixth inning set up the winning run for Fruita Monument and a tough 5-4 loss for the Cougars.

Niwot came back on Saturday morning, Sept. 28, to play Grand Junction Central High School who were first on the scoreboard, scoring two runs in the third inning. Right-handed pitcher Mandy Roth was first in the circle for Niwot.

Niwot put their first runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting with a leadoff single from Madison Dodge. Johnson followed with an RBI double and another RBI double from Amaya brought in the second and final run for the Cougars.

After a tough seventh inning, Niwot fell short, with a final score of 18-2.

Niwot took on Palisade High School for their final game of the weekend and the Cougars were ready to redeem themselves.

After a scoreless first inning, Johnson and Dodge both singled, setting up Butler for a two-RBI double to left field. The Cougars continued to score consecutively over five straight innings, ending the game by run rule with a final score of 13-2.

Dodge collected three hits in three at-bats, with two doubles and a single. Butler, Dodge, Johnson, Roth, and Evelyn Majka all produced RBIs in the game. The Cougars have won eight matchups by seven or more runs this season. They rank fifth in the league at 6-2, with an overall record of 12-6.

Niwot will go to Broomfield High School on Tuesday, Oct. 1, before playing Silver Creek at home on Thursday, Oct 3. This is the last home game of the regular season, which is also the Cougars' Senior Game, which celebrates the seniors on the team.