While it is often best to stay away from lofty, nearly unachievable pursuits, consider Shelby Babcock exempt from that notion.
Having accomplished what the Legacy pitcher has in her first three seasons, it is permissible to up the ante.
Babcock already has two state titles, a designation as the All-Colorado player of the year and a bevy of mind-boggling statistics, and she has committed to pitch next season at the University of Arizona.
Babcock, named the state’s Gatorade softball player of the year last season, wants more. She is aiming to be remembered as the best in state history to step inside the pitching circle.
“Yes, definitely,” Babcock said. “And I’m shooting for national Gatorade player of the year this season.”
The right-hander went 22-1 with an 0.15 ERA and 274 strikeouts last season — which came on the heels of a 21-2, 0.29, 233-strikeout season and another championship in 2007. She is perhaps the most-feared pitcher since Arvada West’s Kami Keiter in the early portions of the decade. Babcock grew up admiring Keiter and often followed the left-hander’s distinguished career at Oklahoma.
But even Keiter led her team to “only” two titles.
“If we pull off a third one, that will be the first time anyone has done that,” Babcock said. “That would secure our place in history right there.”
The Lightning, a no-brainer choice to begin the season ranked No. 1, is the favorite to do so. All-Colorado catcher Buggs Torrez, second baseman Melissa Marcovecchio and outfielder Shae Rodriguez are among the standouts returning, the forefront of an offense that regularly churns out runs and anchors a Lightning defense that is far above average. But it’s Babcock who hoists Legacy over the top.
“I think it’s just that she’s got such good movement on her ball,” said Ralston Valley coach Wendy Davies, whose Mustangs lost to the Lightning in the title game last season. “Some people throw just as hard as her, or close, but her ball moves more than most.”
Davies knows a thing or two about pitching, considering she has her own ace in Indiana University-bound Meaghan Murphy, and she coached Ralston Valley to successive 4A titles before moving to 5A last season.
Similar praise for Babcock can be heard across the state from coaches — and frustrated hitters. As Legacy coach Dawn Gaffin often points out when diagnosing Babcock’s success: “People brag about having 10 pitches. Well, Shelby has three, and they all work.”
Relying mostly on a rising fastball, drop ball and changeup, Babcock already has carved a spot for herself in state lore. But before she tries to become the next Jennie Finch at Arizona, she has her sights set on a three-peat and the possible national honor.
“I’m going to emphasize not getting overconfident and respecting our opponents,” Babcock said. “That worked out well for us last year.”
Diamond notes
A look at the softball season, which starts today:
CLASS 5A: Beyond 2008 state champion Legacy and runner-up Ralston Valley, it’s a wide-open field. Problem is, it’ll be no easy task entering that mix. Look for the stalwart Jeffco League to produce a contender or two beyond Ralston Valley, but the powerhouse league has been held without a title since 2003. Watch for perennial contenders such as Rocky Mountain and Mountain Vista to enter the fray.
CLASS 4A: All are gunning for defending champion Wheat Ridge, which returns pitcher Stephanie Routzon (23-0 in 2008) and hard-hitting outfielder Elle Madsen. “We’re taking the same approach as last year — like we’re playing with a target on our backs,” Farmers coach Marty Stricklett said. Challengers include junior-laden Mullen, Dominique Garcia-led Frederick and D’Evelyn, which returns all nine starters.
CLASS 3A: Erie and Holy Family have met in each of the last four title games, with Erie winning three. Teams such as Faith Christian, Valley and Burlington will try to end that trend, but knocking out Erie will be a daunting task considering the Tigers have been in every 3A title game since the classification was formed in 1998. “I think we’re strong, but it’s too early to look that far,” Erie coach Bob Bledsoe said.
Paul Willis, Special to The Denver Post
Top teams
Class 5A
1. Legacy
2. Ralston Valley
3. Rocky Mountain
4. Mountain Vista
5. Chaparral
6. Cherokee Trail
7. Central (G.J.)
8. Standley Lake
9. Eaglecrest
10. Pomona
Class 4A
1. Wheat Ridge
2. Mullen
3. Frederick
4. D’Evelyn
5. Windsor
6. Castle View
7. Thomas Jefferson
8. Falcon
9. Pueblo East
10. Lewis-Palmer
Class 3A
1. Erie
2. Holy Family
3. Faith Christian
4. Valley
5. Burlington
6. Platte Canyon
7. La Junta
8. Rocky Ford
9. Limon
10. Lyons
Returning all-state picks
Class 5A
P Shelby Babcock, Legacy, Sr.
INF Lindsey Boyd, Standley Lake, Sr.
C Buggs Torrez, Legacy, Jr.
Class 4A
INF Jenna D’Ottavio, Mullen, Sr.
P Holli Englert, Castle View, Sr.
P Dominique Garcia, Frederick, Jr.
INF Shannon Lembeck, Mullen, Jr.
OF Elle Madsen, Wheat Ridge, Soph.
OF Chelsea O’Connor, Windsor, Sr.
P Stephanie Routzon, Wheat Ridge, Sr.
Class 3A
OF Alexa Aitken, Basalt, Sr.
OF Brinley Benson, Faith Christian, Sr.
P Mariah Bledsoe, Erie, Jr.
INF Sasha Fong, Erie, Jr.
OF Taylor Hutton, Valley, Jr.
1B Brittany Maul, Erie, Jr.
P Jordan May, Burlington, Sr.
Season information
First competition: Today
Districts: Class 3A on Oct. 17. Regionals: 5A and 4A on Oct. 17.
State tournaments: Oct. 23-24 for all classes at Aurora Sports Park; 16 teams from each class advance to state.
Defending champions
Class 5A: Legacy
Class 4A: Wheat Ridge
Class 3A: Erie
