Christie Zinanti is not 100 percent.
But don’t go getting too excited.
The Pueblo West fireballer, who struck out 287 batters last season while leading the Class 4A Cyclones to their first state title in school history, is almost recovered from arthroscopic surgery in June to repair meniscus damage in her left knee.
Her velocity is still a blur. Her timing is almost back in synch. And being the undisputed queen of the mound last season – in any classification – obviously hasn’t curbed her hunger.
“We want it,” Zinanti said. “We don’t really think we won it last year, we just think we want it again.”
Zinanti tweaked her knee in May on a gung-ho slide into home plate. She pitched during the summer, but admits the recovery process has been frustrating on multiple levels.
“She’s about 90 percent,” said Christie’s father, Bob, who has assumed the majority of coaching duties while longtime coach Gib Satterly continues to battle rheumatoid arthritis. “She’s hesitant in her mind. Once she gets past that, physically she’ll be OK.”
Barring any setbacks, Zinanti should be a better pitcher down the stretch than last season.
She has been increasing the movement on her pitches, refining her changeup – which makes batters look silly – and her rise pitch, both high and low, that hisses through the strike zone like a snake.
Zinanti’s domination has attracted plenty of suitors. Colorado State, Texas Tech, UNLV, Florida International and Georgia Southern head a seemingly bottomless pile of correspondence.
One more thing on Zinanti’s list this season: beat rival Pueblo East.
Behind six returning starters, the Cyclones should head up the South Central League, long dominated by Pueblo East, which Zinanti hasn’t defeated since her freshman year.
“The league is the toughest it’s been in five or six years,” veteran Pueblo East coach Ben Garcia said.
The Eagles have qualified for the state tournament in each of the past 13 seasons and that streak should continue despite graduating nine seniors.
After Pueblo West, Garcia believes his team will have its toughest battles from Pueblo South and Pueblo Central, with Pueblo County and Pueblo Centennial assuming the dark horse role.
Powerhouse Ralston Valley is in a similar state. The 2002 champions return just three starters and will be loaded with sophomores and freshmen.
“They’ve played like 300 or 400 games, so you’d like to think they’re experienced sophomores,” Ralston Valley coach Wendy Braye said.
Junior Caitlin Jenks, the centerpiece of last year’s junior varsity squad, will lead the Mustangs on the mound in the softball-rich Jefferson County League.
Having graduated just three seniors, Conifer assumes the role of favorite in Jeffco behind junior pitcher Nicole Russell. The 2003 champions are coming off an 18-4 mark.
Former Conifer standout Abby Keese heads up a Mullen team loaded with seniors. Keese, a shortstop, batted .441 last season with 27 RBIs, eight doubles and eight triples.
Junior pitcher Bianca Holley will guide the Mustangs through the 5A Centennial League where they went 12-2 a year ago, finishing 20-4 overall before losing in the semifinals to Pueblo West.
In the Northern League, a young Berthoud team appears to have the early advantage if the pitching holds up.
Liberty and Pine Creek, behind eight returning starters, should head up the battle in Colorado Springs.
Look for Roaring Fork and perhaps a good push from Palisade on the Western Slope.
