When it comes to high school softball, the Southwest League, stocked with several Class 5A schools is always tough.
Over the course of the weekend, the Montezuma-Cortez High School softball team found that out the hard way, losing four consecutive times on their home field.
Opening the weekend with a doubleheader against Grand Junction Central on Sept. 19, the Panthers lost 12-1 and 18-2.
In both games, M-CHS’s offense struggled to make contact against Central’s pitchers and as a result, the Panthers were unable to score runs.
“We had a hard time hitting off Central’s pitchers,” said M-CHS head coach Brett Martin. “They had six seniors on the team and all six seniors have college offers.”
On Sept. 20, the Panthers matched up against Grand Junction and faired better, losing 19-14 and 17-6.
In M-CHS’s 19-14 loss, the Panthers fell behind 11-0 before scoring three runs in the bottom of the third after a single by Wesley Kirks, a triple by Shavargus Noyes and a double by Brenna Leonard.
The M-CHS offense then continued its torrid run in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring nine runs to cut Central’s lead to 13-12.
After M-CHS tied the game 13-13 going into the to top of the sixth inning, Central scored six runs in the top of the sixth to pull away for the win.
In M-CHS’s 17-6 loss, the Panthers scored six runs in the first inning before being outscored 10-0 over the next six innings in route to the loss.
Despite his team’s losses however, Martin emphasized that he could not be more pleased with his team’s effort over the weekend.
“This is the first time in many years that we were competitive with (Grand Junction and Central),” said Martin. “I was very pleased with that.”
With their record now at 5-8 on the season, the Panthers will hit the road to face Montrose on Sept. 26.
“It will be a big game for us,” as far as playoff ramifications,” said Martin, discussing his team’s upcoming matchup.