With a win over Durango on Sept. 30, the Montezuma-Cortez High School softball team could have clinched a spot in the playoffs. A victory was not to be however, as M-CHS was defeated on its home field, 13-6.
Key in the Panthers loss were several defensive miscues during the top of the first inning that allowed Durango to score three runs, two of which came after a sharp single to left field by Katelyn DeLuche.
The Panthers rebounded in the bottom of the first inning however, scoring three runs of their own after Wesley Kirks and Stevee Brenner reached base and later scored. M-CHS’s third run of the inning came on a two-out RBI single by Brenna Leonard.
“The first inning of the game, I felt really good,” said Kirks. “We were hitting the ball and we made it home.”
After an RBI triple by Brenner in the in the second inning and an RBI single by Kitty Wallace in the third inning, the Panthers and Demons entered the fourth inning tied, 5-5.
From then on, it was all Demons however, as Durango scored five runs in the fourth inning thanks to several defensive miscues by the Panthers.
“We just kind of lost it,” said Kirks. “We made way too many mental errors.”
Adding to the Panthers consternation was the inability of their hitters to make contact as Durango starting pitcher Alexys Vidunas allowed just one run over the final four innings. The run came courtesy of a long home run by Tayla Topaha.
“The bats just weren’t there for us,” said M-CHS manager Brett Martin. We just couldn’t connect with their pitcher and I don’t understand why.”
With the loss, M-CHS dropped to 5-12 on the season.
The Panthers will next travel to Montrose on Oct. 3 to complete a game against Montrose that was suspended earlier this season due to a lack of light. At the time the game was suspended, M-CHS was leading 10-8 in the top of the seventh inning.
According to M-CHS athletic director Stacey Hall, the Panthers could still qualify for the playoffs if they were to defeat Montrose by several runs. Hall said that such a scenario is unlikely given the state of the suspended game.
Even if the Panthers fail to qualify for the playoffs however, players and coaches emphasized that this season has been a success.
“We stayed strong and we improved a lot since last year,” said Abriana Conklin. “We will be a strong team next year.”