Top 10 Colorado softball games down the stretch

The school year is still in its fledgling stages, so it seems odd to be talking about the stretch run of a sports season. But make no mistake, it's here for softball.

The regular season culminates in a mere three weeks, so with that in mind, here are a look at 10 key games down the stretch. These are contests that could have a great impact league or classification races – or both.

Legend (Parker) at ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch), 4:30 p.m., Sept. 18
Look no further than today, where No. 2 Legend (10-1) will look to go into No. 3 ThunderRidge (8-0) and put an end to the Grizzlies' undefeated season. Not only is this a top-three matchup, but one that could have lasting ramifications in the Class 5A Continental League race. Legend's Jesse Smith is batting .622 with 14 extra-base hits while teammate Brooke Doumer is hitting at a .528 clip. They'll likely face Grizzlies ace Emily Morris (5-0, 1.83 ERA).

Fort Collins at Mountain Range (Westminster), 4:15 p.m., Sept. 22
Mountain Range has vaulted to the top of the 5A poll, but the Mustangs will first have to win their own Front Range League to maintain that post heading to the postseason. Third baseman Riley Craig is batting .622 with four homers and 25 RBI for Mountain Range (10-0) while Fort Collins (8-2) is finally starting to receive votes in the poll after a sizzling start.

Eaglecrest (Centennial) vs. Grandview (Aurora), Sept. 22 (4:30 p.m.) and Oct. 6 (4:15 p.m.)
League play has yet to begin in the 5A Centennial League, but when it does, the schedule gets heavy quickly. No. 8 Eaglecrest and No. 9 Grandview, each 6-4 in nonleague play, will meet twice down the stretch. Grandview is the defending 5A champ and the Wolves and pitcher Courtney Browne won't easily relinquish the top spot in the league. Sophomore Kailey Wilson has been a tremendous boost at the plate for the Raptors.

Strasburg vs. Sterling, 4 p.m., Sept. 22 and Oct. 8
It doesn't get much bigger in 3A than a No. 1 vs. 2 matchup, and fans of the classification will get to see two before the end of the season. Strasburg (10-0), which has lost only one game over the past three seasons, has outscored opponents a ridiculous 130-7. The Indians are getting another monster season from sophomore pitcher Dakota Stotyn. Sterling (9-2) is a balanced bunch with a .469 team batting average.

Vista Ridge (Colorado Springs) at Air Academy (US Air Force Academy), 4:30 p.m., Sept. 23
Freshman pitcher Kaylin Cruz has helped Vista Ridge to an 11-3 start, and the No. 5 Wolves are pointing to the matchup with the No. 6 Kadets (5-3-1) as a big one. The teams are among those battling for the top spot in the 4A Pikes Peak League with Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs) also in the mix. Air Academy's Payton Romines already has blasted five home runs.

Ralston Valley (Arvada) at Wheat Ridge, 4:30 p.m., Sept. 24
This heavy-duty cross-classification matchup won't decide any league races, but it will serve as a measuring stick for the Jefferson County League teams. No. 5 Ralston Valley is leading Jeffco's 5A ranks behind pitcher Rylie Strong while Wheat Ridge (8-4), No. 3 in 4A Jeffco, has a leg up on state-champion Valor Christian in the league race after beating the Eagles last week. Ann Marie Torres is batting an otherworldly .700 with seven doubles, two triples and five homers for the Farmers.

Frederick at Erie, 4 p.m., Sept. 29
This one features not only the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the Tri-Valley League, but in 4A overall. This promises to be a heated clash between the longtime rivals, who will send a pair of standout junior pitchers to the mound: Frederick's Alicia Hernandez (6-2, 3.27 ERA) and Erie's Rio Sanchez (9-2, 1.48 ERA; plus she has hit six homers). Frederick, last season's state runner-up, edged the Tigers 8-7 on Aug. 29.

Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) at Golden, 10 a.m., Oct. 3
The defending-champion Eagles and sophomore standout Alexandria Kilponen (10-1, 1.32 ERA) are aiming to atone for the loss to Wheat Ridge and might have a hidden tough one here. Golden isn't getting much love in the polls, but the Demons have had an ultra-solid start. The Demons (10-3) have outscored foes by 100 runs and are hitting .433 as a team.

Brighton at Prairie View (Henderson), 4 p.m., Oct. 8
Yes, No. 4 Brighton has a few marquee contests before this one. But none of them will decide the East Metro League like this one figures to do. The Bulldogs (7-2) and pitcher Melissa Rahrich have dominated the league for years, but upstart Prairie View (10-1) has outscored foes 140-33 and is getting an outstanding season from freshman Camryn Mullen, who is batting .545 with three homers and 23 RBI. Sophomore pitcher Brooklyn Trujillo is 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA.

Rocky Ford at La Junta, 4 p.m., Oct. 8
Defending-champion La Junta, which edged Strasburg 3-2 in the title game last season, has a score to settle from earlier this season. The No. 5 Tigers lost 4-3 to Rocky Ford and are looking for some payback from the No. 3 Meloneers. This one will help decide District 2, where La Junta (8-2-1) and Rocky Ford (9-2) are the top contenders. Junior Selena Medina has been a solid two-way threat for the Meloneers.