Strasburg junior Annie Oakley, right, hits a pop-up during the 3A state softball quarterfinals on Oct. 17, 2014 at Aurora Sports Park in Aurora. Strasburg beat Burlington 4-2. (Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post)
CLASS 5A
Brighton, the No. 3-seed in the 5A state softball tournament, had an early exit Friday, losing 5-4 to No. 14 Columbine in the first round. Columbine scored three runs in the top of the seventh to overcome a two-run deficit to advance to the quarterfinals.
There the Rebels would lose to No. 6 Grandview 10-2, who punched a ticket into Saturday morning’s semifinals.
Dakota Ridge, seeded No. 2 in the tournament, lost 9-8 to No. 15 Horizon in the first round. No. 7 Broomfield would take down the Hawks in the quarters, winning 11-9 to advance.
Top-seeded Fossil Ridge disposed of No. 16 Arvada West 2-0 and No. 8 Douglas County 9-5 for a spot in the final four.
After topping No. 13 Pine Creek 11-1, Castle View won a pitchers’ duel vs. No. 12 Eaglecrest in the quarterfinals to secure a spot in the semis.
Here’s a look at tomorrow’s matchups:
(1) Fossil Ridge vs. (4) Castle View, 10 a.m.
(6) Grandview vs. (7) Broomfield, 10 a.m.
Championship at 1:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
In 4A action, defending champion Wheat Ridge, seeded fourth, counted on a walk-off double by Gabby Loya to beat No. 5 Discovery Canyon 10-9 and advance to the semifinals.
Top-seeded Frederick took down No. 16 D’Evelyn 7-3 and No. 8 Ponderosa 4-1 for a spot against Wheat Ridge.
No. 6 Erie and No. 2 Valor Christian will face off tomorrow after winning their games.
Here’s a look at tomorrow’s matchups:
(1) Frederick vs. (4) Wheat Ridge, 10 a.m.
(2) Valor Christian vs. (6) Erie, 10 a.m.
Championship at 1:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A
No. 2 Valley counted on two home runs by junior infielder Kelsey Ray to beat No. 10 Brush 7-1 in their quarterfinal match. What’s more impressive is that Ray had not hit a home run the entire season.
Valley plays No. 3 La Junta on Saturday, which won No. 6 Lamar 5-2 in its quarterfinal bout.
Top-seeded Strasburg beat No. 8 Burlington 4-2. They will face No. 4 Sterling, which won 9-4 over No. 5 Eaton.
Here’s a look at tomorrow’s matchups:
(1) Strasburg vs. (4) Sterling, 10 a.m.
(2) Valley vs. (4) La Junta, 10 a.m.
Championship at 1:15 p.m.
