Ralston Valley slides past Wheat Ridge in softball
ARVADA — Ralston Valley junior Gianna Browdy helped herself immensely Tuesday afternoon.
Browdy pitched a complete-game in a 2-1 non-league victory against Wheat Ridge, ranked No. 4 in this week’s CHSAANow.com Class 4A softball poll, at Ralston Valley High School. However, she was just as impressive at the plate going 3-for-3 with a pair of triples to give Ralston Valley (3-6) a momentum-building win.
“We could probably bat her (Browdy) three, four or five, but she always does well in that lead-off position,” Ralston Valley coach Wendy Davies said. “She always seems to make something happen. She is really helping us out.”
Browdy’s second triple led off the bottom of the fifth inning in a 1-1 tied ballgame. Freshman Shayla Erickson came in as a courtesy runner for Browdy. Erickson scored the eventual game-winning run when the freshman broke for home on senior Malory Eldredge’s infield grounder.
The home plate umpire ruled that Erickson slid under the tag of Wheat Ridge catcher Gabby Loya to give the Mustangs the lead for good.
“I just was doing my best to get on base to score some runs because it was a tight game,” said Browdy, who tripled and scored on a throwing error in the third inning.
Browdy took care of business in the top of the seventh inning. Despite giving up singles to Wheat Ridge’s Gianna Welker and Brandy Trengove in the final frame, the Mustangs’ defense was able to strand a pair of runners. Loya flew out to Ralston Valley center fielder Sydney Harsh to end the game.
“We left some stranded runners and we just didn’t hit today. When you don’t hit you don’t win games,” Wheat Ridge’s first-year coach Jamie Heflin said. “Ralston is a good solid team. Hats off to them. They played well.”
The Farmers (8-4) had their chances, included a bases loaded situation with one out in the top of the second inning. Wheat Ridge wasn’t able to push a run across the plate to take the lead and ended up stranding nine runners over seven innings.
Wheat Ridge’s lone run came in the top of the fifth inning when Welker reached base on a bunt single and came home on an RBI single by Riley Wickman.
“Wheat Ridge is always a good team and tough competition,” Ralston Valley senior Alexa Samuels said. “We struggled in the beginning of the year, but we are working hard to get back on track and work as a team. We have put in so much practice time. It’s good to have that pay off in games.”
The Mustangs went through a six-game losing streak, but has back-to-back wins under their belts with 5A Jeffco League starting up next week. Ralston Valley opens against rival Arvada West on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
“Hopefully the confidence, and the confidence in each other, will carry through the league season,” Davies said. “You always have pride in your school and want to represent that. We start with Arvada West and they are good.”
Wheat Ridge, last year’s 4A state runner-up, also begins its conference play in 4A Jeffco next week. The Farmers open up at home against Green Mountain on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
“We are very battled tested with the schedule we had,” Heflin said. “I think we are up to the test.”
