Pomona softball impressive in opener against Northglenn
ARVADA — Pomona softball couldn’t have asked for a better start to its 2020 season.
The Panthers opened with a complete-game 15-0 victory with the offensive and defensive both doing its share against Northglenn.
Pomona junior pitcher Maggie Geise was nearly perfect. Geise struck out nine batters in three innings pitched. The only baserunner that reached for the Norse was sophomore Nayelli Mora on a throwing error in the second inning.
“I just like to stay in my zone, throw and play my game,” said Geise after striking out the side in all three innings.
Pomona’s bats did their part cranking out 16 hits in three innings. Senior Kendall Hufford did her fair share of damage. Hufford had a single and double, driving in four runs during the Panthers’ 10-run first inning.
“I thought it was really fun,” Hufford said of the Panthers’ first inning where they sent 14 batters to the plate. “I’m excited because I didn’t think we would play this well. I’m super excited about how the season is going to go.”
Hufford singled in the second inning and the Panthers plated a pair of runs on the hit after an error by Northglenn. Pomona senior J’Lyssa Martinez ended the game in the bottom of the third inning with her third hit of the game with an RBI single that induced the 15-run rule after three innings.
“You’ve got to put the ball in play and run hard,” Pomona coach Jim Biddle said of Pomona’s offense. “You have to put pressure on the opposing team. If we can continue to do that then we should be OK.”
Biddle is also confident in Geise. She had a 7-4 record with a 3.44 ERA last season.
“Good experience and a good solid mental focus. Nothing rattles her,” Biddle said of Geise. “She moves the ball around, changes speeds and keeps batters off-balanced. We are expecting a lot out of her this year.”
Pomona plays five non-league games in the span of nine days to start preparing for the always tough Class 5A Jeffco League. Columbine is the defending 5A Jeffco League and 5A state champion, but without ace pitcher Korbe Otis this season the door is open a little bit more for someone to step up to win the conference.
“It’s a tough league. One of the toughest in 5A,” Hufford said of 5A Jeffco. “We have a pretty good shot from what I saw today, but it will be tough. We will work hard toward it. There are big opportunities for us.”
5A Jeffco teams Columbine, Chatfield and Ralston Valley all made the CHSAANow.com preseason Top-10. Lakewood, Arvada West, Valor Christian and Pomona also received votes.
“There are no easy games in our league,” Biddle said. “Any team can win this league. That is how it’s always been and this year is no exception.”
