Megan McGinnis admits to some nerves as she prepares to assume the top pitching role for the defending Class 3A state softball champion Holy Family Tigers.
But as McGinnis makes the move from the outfield to the center of the action, those nerves are tingling more from excitement than anxiety.
“I’m ready to take on a leadership role,” said McGinnis, The Denver Post’s reigning 3A player of the year. “It was definitely exciting to win the title and wear our rings and everything, but that kind of wore off. It’s back to business now.”
Holy Family, 4A Windsor and 5A Rocky Mountain all begin defending the titles as the season opens today.
The Tigers ended Erie’s streak of six consecutive championships with a 6-0 victory in the 2006 title game. While standout pitcher Sara Baumberger is among those to have graduated, Holy Family appears ready for another run.
“We expect to be in the championship game every year,” said Glen Ramos, co-coach for Holy Family along with Bill Burke. “Any way you look at, whether we are defending the title or not, it’s not going to be easy. Everybody needs to play at their peak performance.”
McGinnis will have plenty of support with the return of first-team all-state infielder Lara Mathewson and junior Mary Petersen, an anchor at third base. Catcher Kaitlin Connelly returns, and Ramos said a handful of younger players have shown the skills to break into the varsity lineup.
Mathewson doesn’t see any problems affecting the transition.
“We are all so team-oriented,” she said. “This year, I’ll have to take a bigger part as a leader in the infield, and all of us know how to support Megan as our pitcher.”
In 4A, the Windsor Wizards return in a good position with player of the year Mallory Duran back in the outfield. Duran proved herself invaluable during the Wizards’ run to the title and is one of seven returning starters.
“We just told them that we have 19 games and that we need to stay focused,” Windsor coach Sandi Cumings said. “They don’t like to talk about defending the title. At least, I don’t like to talk about it.”
Windsor’s Northern League will be a challenge as always, as state runner-up Berthoud is back with Jasmine Cervantes and Kassie Haubert.
In 5A, Wheat Ridge remembers how close it came to another state title last year (the Farmers lost 2-1 to Rocky Mountain in the championship game) and wants another shot. Sisters Alyssa and Giana Zimmerman are two of the top players on a loaded roster, and Wheat Ridge is ready to claim its first title since 2003.
To do that, however, the Farmers will have to survive the brutal Jefferson County League, with such powers as Columbine, Dakota Ridge, Pomona, Arvada West and Lakewood.
Softball: What you need to know
KEY DATES
First games to be played today; regular season ends Oct. 6; district tournament (all three classifications) Oct. 13; state tournament Oct. 19-20, Aurora Sports Park.
CLASS 5A
Top teams | 1. Wheat Ridge; 2. Columbine; 3. Legacy; 4. Dakota Ridge; 5. Highlands Ranch; 6. Pomona; 7. Cherry Creek; 8. Arvada West; 9. Rocky Mountain; 10. Lakewood.
Top players | Shelby Babcock, Legacy, So., P; Jayci Jeffress, Brighton, Sr., OF; Mikey Kenney, Arvada West, Jr., OF; Kelsey O’Brien, Columbine, Jr., P; Jessica O’Connor, Dakota Ridge, Sr., P; Jordyn Randolph, Pomona, Jr., P; Lyssa Roberts, Douglas County, Sr., SS; Melisa Ryba, Highlands Ranch, Sr., U; Sami Springer, Cherry Creek, So., C; Kelly Unkrich, Mountain Vista, Jr., P; Kamee Vessey, Highlands Ranch, Jr., SS; Alyssa Zimmerman, Wheat Ridge, So., INF; Giana Zimmerman, Wheat Ridge, Sr., P.
CLASS 4A
Top teams | 1. Windsor; 2. Mullen; 3. Berthoud; 4. Pueblo Central; 5. Ralston Valley; 6. Cherokee Trail; 7. Conifer; 8. Liberty; 9. Northridge 10. Widefield.
Top players | Regina Aragon, Northridge, Sr., INF; Jasmine Cervantes, Berthoud, Sr., C; Lauran Duran, Mullen, Sr., INF; Mallory Duran, Windsor, Sr., OF; Katie Eickelman, Pueblo East, Sr., OF; Nikki Haberkorn, Mullen, Sr., P-1B; Kassie Haubert, Berthoud, Sr., P; Shaina Gulbranson, Liberty, Sr., SS; Danielle Jagodzinski, Ralston Valley, So., OF; Megan McWilliams, Rifle, Sr., U; Alex Neely, Windsor, Sr., P.
CLASS 3A
Top teams | 1. Holy Family; 2. Erie; 3. Faith Christian; 4. Limon; 5. Burlington; 6. Platte Canyon; 7. Rocky Ford; 8. Strasburg; 9. Middle Park; 10. Brush.
Top players | Glory Benson, Faith Christian, Sr., OF; Kelsey Dutton, Limon, Jr., P; Axie Estrada, Erie, Sr., C; Linsey Haight, Faith Christian, Sr., P; Lindsey Hubbard, Valley, So., P; Mary Lucero, Rocky Ford, Jr. INF; Lara Mathewson, Holy Family, Jr., INF; Megan McGinnis, Holy Family, Sr., P; Janay Rahrich, Erie, Sr., 1B; Kyndall Voskamp, Platte Canyon, Jr., P.
