The girls from Thomas Jefferson High are out to show that just because they're from the DPL doesn't mean they aren't state title contenders.
Courtesy photo
When the extra repetitions, diligence to detail and dedication translate into on-field results, that's usually when softball programs see tangible reminders of their success.
That means appearances in the rankings, being mentioned in conversations about the state's elite and respect in general.
Thomas Jefferson (Denver) players and coaches understand that they are not part of that softball universe. Fair or not, because the Spartans are part of a Denver Prep League that hasn't been ultra-successful at the state level, respect hasn't been as easy to garner.
A textbook example is the 2013 version of the Spartans, who have started 9-1 but haven't come close to cracking the Class 4A Top 10. The Spartans were among those receiving votes, but only had two of those.
"Whether other people see our improvement or not, we see it," TJ coach Kyler Jackson said. "That's what matters."
The improvement has been paramount. The Spartans are on their way to their first winning season since 2009, when they went 14-6. Since then, they've gone 9-11, 7-14 and 9-12 last season.
TJ has cruised through the early portion of the schedule by outscoring foes 87-30. Their lone blemish was a 9-5 nonleague loss at Conifer on Aug. 29, and they have recorded four one-run wins. Two of those were against 5A squads — Green Mountain and Monarch.
No love in the rankings, yet, though.
"It's pretty frustrating, because we're just trying to get our name out there," senior pitcher
Allyson Grywusiewicz said. "We're working hard to do it, but as a (DPL) team you don't get a lot of recognition."
Grywusiewicz herself is a large reason why the Spartans are an improved bunch. She serves as their starting pitcher — sporting an 8-1 record, 1.47 ERA and 73 strikeouts — as well as the No. 3 hitter. She is batting .594 with two home runs and a team-best 18 RBIs.
"She's got tremendous pop in her bat, so sometimes she can knock in three or four runs and just go from there on the mound," Jackson said. "She'll know exactly what she needs to take care of in terms of ball placement and things like that. It's nice to have that key player offensively and defensively, and it's the same person.
"I've had her forever, so I know what I'm getting with her."
Grywusiewicz is entering her third season as a starting pitcher and has been a varsity player since she was a freshman. If her name sounds familiar, it should. Older sister Aryn Grywusiewicz is a former Spartans standout who now pitches for Chadron State in Nebraska. She struck out 187 batters as a senior at TJ in 2009.
To be clear, these Spartans haven't only been about Allyson Grywusiewicz. Leadoff hitter
Kelly Cordes is batting .606 with team-bests of six doubles and 17 runs scored. Second-place hitter
Alyssa Menchue has posted a .419 average with nine RBIs.
"Since I was a freshman, we've had a lot of problems defense-wise," Grywusiewicz said. "This team is a little bit better defensively, so I think if we can be as good a hitting team as last year's was, we really have a chance to be improved."
Sophomore
Blaise Hokkanen (.333 average) also has been a pleasant addition for the Spartans. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Hokkanen has settled in as a starting outfielder.
Add it all up and it's an undoubtedly a solid DPL team — but an unknown on the overall 4A landscape. Perhaps hurting the Spartans is that no DPL team has appeared in a state championship game since Denver East qualified for the 5A game in 1998 (the Angels were defeated by Arvada West).
TJ squared off against Denver East on Tuesday, but the game was called due to rain with a scoreless tie in the fourth inning.
For now, there is no choice for the Spartans but to keep pushing forward and to gear up for whichever large-scale opponent appears in the postseason.
"We play the schedule we're given," Jackson said. "Our goal is to look at the teams that beat us last year, and when we face those same teams, exact our own revenge."
