2015 Colorado State Softball Preview

Over the past several seasons, the Brighton softball team has transformed from a big fish in a small pond – namely, a solid team from a non-power league – to a bona fide state contender.

But after reaching the Class 5A championship game in 2011 and the semifinals in 2013, the Bulldogs admittedly were disappointed after bowing out in the first round last season. That's because star pitcher Melissa Rahrich and her teammates were the No. 3 seed and were edged 5-4 by No. 14 Columbine (Littleton).

Well, the Bulldogs (18-3) will have an immediate chance to avenge that loss Friday, when the two-day state softball tournament kicks off for all three classes at Aurora Sports Park. Brighton is seeded No. 2 and opens against No. 15 Columbine. Rahrich believes the Bulldogs not only will perform better in the early rounds, but have the ability to make a deep run.

"What I really love about this team is how great all of us girls get along," Rahrich said. "We all have so much heart and once we put it all together it clicks. To win state we need to come together as a team and play for each other. We need to know without a doubt that we can be successful and have no doubts about each other."

In addition to a 16-3 record and 1.30 ERA, Rahrich is batting an absurd .737 with seven homers and 41 RBI, firmly putting herself at the forefront of the player-of-the-year talks. A strong tournament will help, but the Bob Gonzales-coached Bulldogs will have some heavy competition.

After beginning the season unranked, Chaparral (Parker) (18-3) darted to the No. 1 seed behind standout seasons from pitcher Shannon Bass (18-2, 2.29 ERA) and senior slugger Jordan Smith, who has hit a 5A-best 12 home runs.

No team was more dominant than Broomfield in regionals, as Eagles pitcher Taylor Gilmore spun a pair of shutouts to vault her squad to a No. 3 seed. Junior Lindsey Malkin continues to be one of the state's top hitters and enters state with a .478 average, eight homers and 30 RBI.

Fellow Front Range League squad Mountain Range (Westminster.) (19-2) rounds out the top four seeds, as the Mustangs and pitcher Hunter Huser look to continue their best season as a program. Senior Riley Craig
is batting .597 with six HR and 36 RBI.

The Front Range League is firmly on display here, as the Nos. 3-7 seeds come from the league. Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins) is No. 5, Fort Collins No. 6 and 2014 runner-up Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins) is seeded seventh.

Don't count out defending champion Grandview (Aurora), which won it all as a No. 6 seed last season. The Wolves enter at No. 11 this season but still can be considered dangerous. Also take note of Jeffco champion Ralston Valley (Arvada), which slides in at No. 9 after finishing second in district play. The Mustangs open against league-rival Chatfield (Littleton).

In Class 4A, Wheat Ridge nabbed the No. 1 seed a year after bowing out in the semifinals. The Farmers are a perennial contender and didn't take the loss to Frederick lightly.

"We've come together as a team and have worked harder this year," said Wheat Ridge first baseman Brandy Trengove, who is batting .493 with one homer and 23 RBI. "Losing was hard and we didn't like it, so we've fought hard to be the best."

Despite dealing with a few injuries through the season, Farmers pitcher Ann Marie Torres has compiled a 10-4 record and has had another brilliant year with the bat. She carries a .662 average, 11 homers and 44 RBI into the tournament.

Although longtime coach Bob Bledsoe has moved on to the college ranks, Erie nabbed the No. 2 seed. Longtime assistant Harold Simmons, also the Tigers baseball coach, has the Tigers (19-2) in position for a deep run. Junior pitcher Rio Sanchez is 19-2 with a 1.15 ERA and has clubbed seven home runs.

Defending champion Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) and standout pitcher Alexandria Kilponen are very dangerous as the No. 3 seed. The Eagles' lone loss is to Wheat Ridge, and Kilponen has gone 19-1 with an 0.75 ERA. Just as impressive has been the hitting of junior Lauren Foster, who has batted .500 with 10 homers and 49 RBI.

Mountain View (Loveland) (18-3) checks in at No. 4 behind slugger Kailee Stobbe, and Pikes Peak League champion Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) at No. 5. The powerful Kadets, led by junior Payton Romines, enter with 13 straight wins. And don't count out Frederick, last season's runner-up. The Warriors, who have gotten a monster season from shortstop Mae Mitchell (.547, 10 homers, 42 RBIs), are looming as the No. 11 seed.

In Class 3A, things have changed much. Top-seeded Strasburg (20-0) remains the favorite, but the Indians undoubtedly are aware of the presence of No. 2 La Junta. The Indians have gone 66-1 over the past three seasons, but the lone loss was a 3-2 decision to La Junta in last season's title game.

Strasburg, which won it all in 2012 and 2013, are getting another stellar season from sophomore pitcher Dakota Stotyn. She is unbeaten in 10 decisions and has mashed a team-best eight homers.

La Junta (15-3-1) is a balanced squad that is batting .411 as a team and has gotten 21 extra-base hits from pitcher Annie Davis, including 12 doubles. Additional 3A challengers include No. 3 Sterling and No. 4 Rocky Ford.

Sterling (15-5) has a dangerous lineup helped in part by sophomore Brooke Polenz, who has batted .464 with five homers and 20 RBI. Senior Lauren Szabo, Jenna Knudson and Halee Woltemath also have been stellar at the plate for the Tigers.

Rocky Ford (17-3) has beaten La Junta twice this season and has a standout junior pitcher in Selena Medina. The Meloneers enter the tournament having won 13 of their past 14. After a bye in the first round, Rocky Ford likely will take on No. 5 Brush (14-7) in the second.

Of note, as of Thursday morning, Friday's first-round games for 5A and 4A have been pushed back two hours because of continued precipitation. The forecast appears to be clearing for the weekend, however. According to the Colorado High School Activities Association, Sunday is a possibility if further delays occur.