The winning components that produced surprise state champions two years in a row are fairly straightforward. Finding the right pieces and turning them into a fluid machine is another story.
Defending Class 5A state champion Eaglecrest and 2004 champion Loveland had one dominant pitcher, a brick wall for a catcher and an error-free infield. That core wins softball titles, which will be decided for all three classifications Oct. 21 at the Aurora Sports Park.
The season begins Friday.
To win the titles, Eaglecrest combined those main ingredients with one very big bat (Brooklynn Fields), while Loveland used blazing speed (Ashtin Williamson).
It was the first softball title for both schools, and chances are good another first-timer will be crowned this season. Eight of the top 10 teams in The Denver Post/9News 5A preseason poll are after their first title in the state’s largest classification, though Poudre, Ponderosa and Lakewood have won titles in a smaller class.
“The combination of pitcher-catcher is the most important piece. If you don’t have that, you’re in trouble,” Eaglecrest coach Dave O’Neill said.
Rocky Mountain, still chasing its first softball title after starting last season with 23 consecutive wins, returns arguably the state’s top pitcher in Cory Berliner.
She will have plenty of challenges in the Front Range League, including 1998 state champion Fort Collins. Pitcher Jamie Juelfs, shortstop Danni Hedstrom and outfielder Cassie Logan return, but longtime coach Keith Aragon said the Lambkins have some holes to fill.
Poudre, a quarterfinalist last season, will ride sisters Sarah and Becca Lindquist in pursuit of another deep playoff run.
“Sarah can carry us to the state tournament. I can put either of them anywhere and they will know what to do,” Impalas coach Christy Malara said.
Continental League favorite Highlands Ranch lost little to graduation and looks like the top team on paper with do-everything Denver Post player of the year Melisa Ryba.
Highlands Ranch lost a top-notch pitcher to graduation, but everyone else returns, including sisters Kailee (senior shortstop) and Kamee Vessey (sophomore second baseman).
Sophomore Kelly Unrich takes over on the mound for Mountain Vista, which graduated seven players. Seniors Lauren Cross (a three-time Continental selection) and Amy McMullen will carry a big load for the Golden Eagles.
Ponderosa, coming off a quarterfinal appearance, is loaded offensively and on the mound, led by senior Kayla Rupa.
In the Centennial League, Cherry Creek returns Kelli Henderson to the mound and Megan Lestrapes to the infield.
“Kelli is one of the dominant pitchers. She controlled the league last year,” 20-year Cherry Creek coach John Gallagher said.
Chasing the Bruins in league should be Smoky Hill, on-the-rise Overland, a reworked Eaglecrest team and four-time state champion Boulder (1987-88, 1990-91).
The league title is open to four or five teams in Jefferson County, which has had a representative in every state championship game since 1991 and won 10 titles from 1993-2003.
State runner-up Pomona graduated All-Colorado pitcher Jenn Brock, which moves the Panthers from favorite status down to contender. Ashli Holland is still rehabilitating a severely broken leg suffered during the soccer season last spring, but she should be in the lineup to lead an experienced infield that includes Megan Hamilton and Mona Booco.
Colorado native Stephanie Roberts is the new coach at Arvada West, the premiere program in the state with 3A’s Erie. Roberts brings former Colorado State teammate Megan Masser with her to coach what is an always-powerful squad.
The Wildcats have played in nine state title games and won six since 1991, including five from 1994 to 2000. This season, they have a three-armed pitching attack led by Elizabeth Kramer.
Columbine, led by sophomore pitcher Kelsey O’Brien, Lakewood, two-time state champion Wheat Ridge (2002-03) and Bear Creek figure to be in contention.
In Denver, East will have to contend with Kennedy and George Washington. In the Colorado Springs Metro, defending league champion Doherty will be chased by Air Academy and Lewis-Palmer. Grand Junction and Central (G.J) should decide the winner of the Southwestern League.
5A softball
TOP 10
1. Rocky Mountain
2. Highlands Ranch
3. Cherry Creek
4. Arvada West
5. Poudre
6. Wheat Ridge
7. Ponderosa
8. Bear Creek
9. Mountain Vista
10. Lakewood
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Elizabeth Balogh, Bear Creek, Sr., P; Cory Berliner, Rocky Mountain, Sr., P; Chava Bobb, George Washington, Sr., UT; Mona Booco, Pomona, Sr., 3B; Holly Bopp, Lakewood, Sr., P; Lauren Cross, Mountain Vista, Sr., SS; Caitlin Fields, Wheat Ridge, Sr. CF; Corrina Gonzales, Rocky Mountain, Sr., 1B; Heather Good, Loveland, Sr., P; Joy Hamilton, Cherry Creek, Sr., P-OF; Megan Hamilton, Pomona, Sr., SS; Danni Hedstrom, Fort Collins, Sr., SS; Kelli Henderson, Cherry Creek, Sr., P; Brenna Hokanson, East, Sr., UT; Ashli Holland, Pomona, Sr., INF; Jamie Juelfs, Fort Collins, Sr., P; Amber Kirkland, Loveland, Sr., C; Brigett Kirschner, Eaglecrest, Sr., UT; Elizabeth Kramer, Arvada West, Sr., P; Alaina Larson, Wheat Ridge, Sr., 1B; Megan Lestrapes, Cherry Creek, Sr., SS; Becca Lindquist, Poudre, Jr., SS-C; Sarah Lindquist, Poudre, Sr., P; Cassie Logan, Fort Collins, Sr., OF; Aubree Maul, Rocky Mountain, So., UT; Lily May, Overland, Jr., P; Kristi McIntosh, Rangeview, Jr., P; Amy McMullen, Mountain Vista, Sr., 1B; Kyla Nelson, Wheat Ridge, Sr., P; Kelsey O’Brien, Columbine, So., P; Kayla Rupa, Ponderosa, Sr., P; Melisa Ryba,
Highlands Ranch, Jr., UT; Ashley Schlein, Eaglecrest, Jr., 1B; Sami Springer, Cherry Creek, Fr., UT; Kailee Vessey, Highlands Ranch, Sr., SS; Kamee Vessey, Highlands Ranch, So., 2B; Jamie Winsor, Rocky Mountain, Sr., SS.
