AURORA — Sid Gutierrez was hoping to either hit or pitch her team to the softball state tournament.
The Highlands Ranch sophomore did both.
In easily the most surprising result in Class 5A’s eight districts, Gutierrez’s ninth-inning RBI single propelled the Falcons to a 4-3 extra-inning win against heavily favored Chaparral in Region 5 action Saturday at Aurora Sports Park.
Highlands Ranch was the 19th seed of the 32 teams that qualified for districts. Chaparral was No. 3 and won’t be heading to state after falling to No. 30 Lakewood later in the day.
“It feels so good,” Gutierrez said, with a heavy emphasis on the “so.” “No one believed we could make it, but we did. We made it.”
Those doubters included the Falcons (13-8) themselves to some extent. They got past Rampart 6-3 in the first-round game but didn’t fully expect to dethrone Continental League- rival Chaparral (18-4) in the second. A loss would have meant playing a third game Saturday (against Lakewood) to determine the region’s second and final state tourney berth.
“I thought this game would be close, but then we’d have to fight back in the third game to get in there,” said Gutierrez, who pitched all nine innings.
Chaparral had defeated Highlands Ranch 11-10 in a wind-hampered league matchup on Oct. 1, but since then, things progressively have gotten better for the Falcons.
“We had to win five games in a row just to qualify for districts, so we kind of got hot at the right time,” Highlands Ranch coach Jeff Markle said. “But yeah, I’m surprised, to say the least.”
Tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Tania Kilcullen led off with a double that one-hopped the left-field wall. She moved to third on a single by Danielle Friel. With one out, Gutierrez lined a ball over shortstop to bring in the go-ahead run.
Gutierrez then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to punch her team’s ticket to state.
“For Sid to be able to do it on the mound and keep her composure at the plate, it’s amazing,” Markle said.
Things got worse for the Wolverines later, when Lakewood upended them 4-2 behind another great all- around performance by a pitcher. Kylie Pierce homered and pitched a complete game for Lakewood.
Region 3 also was played at Aurora Sports Park, with No. 5 seed Eaglecrest having a much easier time. The Raptors defeated Chatfield 7-3 and Cherokee Trail 8-3 behind strong performances from shortstop Aubry Mable (3-for-4, two doubles and a homer) and pitcher Raya Johnson.
“They scored first and I thought, man, we need to get it together,” Johnson said.
The Raptors did, as they pounded 13 hits after spotting Cherokee Trail a run in the top of the first.
Chatfield beat Cherokee 12-0 to nab the region’s second spot. Lexi Love struck out 14 for the Chargers.
5A REGION 5 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
HIGHLANDS RANCH 4, CHAPARRAL 3, 9 INN.
Highlands Ranch 200 001 001 — 4 12 2
Chaparral 010 101 000 — 3 10 1
W — Gutierrez (12-7). L — Collins (14-3). Highlights — Gutierrez, H, 3-for-4, run scored, RBI; Williams, H, 2-for-5, double, RBI; Minch, C, 3-for-5, 2 runs; Pelayo, C, 3-for-4, RBI.
5A REGION 3 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
EAGLECREST 8, CHEROKEE TRAIL 3
Cherokee Trail 101 000 1 — 3 8 0
Eaglecrest 113 111 x — 8 13 1
W — Johnson (18-3). L — Seevers (10-6). Highlights — Drayton, C, 3-for-4, double, 2 RBI; Gronlund, C, 2-for-4, 2 runs scored; Dirito, E, 2-for-4, 2 doubles, RBI; Mable, E, 3-for-4, 3 runs scored, 2 doubles, home run, RBI;
