3A Softball: Eaton Defends State Title, Wins Second-Straight
AURORA – The Eaton softball team seemingly grew stronger and more dominant throughout this year’s Class 3A state tournament, further tightening its grip over the classification’s top spot by crushing opponent after opponent on its way to defending its state title.
Fittingly, the top-seeded Reds capped their back-to-back title push with a no-hitter from senior Sadie Ross during an 11-0 win over No. 6 Thomas Jefferson in the title game at Aurora Sports Park on Saturday afternoon. In total, the Reds outscored their four state tournament opponents 52-4 and have won three of the last four 3A championships.
“This was one heck of a week for softball,” Eaton head coach Dale Hughes said. “I cannot believe these girls. They had a mission and stayed the course. They were prepared. These girls were just on a mission. They felt like they could do it, they wanted to do it and they did it. Their focus and determination all season was really impressive.”
The Reds took an early lead with three runs in the second inning. They added two more in the third before exploding for six runs in the fourth, paced by a three-run home run from Destrie Greiman. In the state tournament, the Reds hit 10 home runs over four games and no opponent survived the five-inning, 10-run mercy rule.
Ross, who also hit a grand slam during an 11-1 semifinal win over No. 5 The Academy and finished the season with 13 home runs, was named Sportswomen of Colorado Player of the Game following the title victory. She will play for Baylor University next season and in her majestic final performance, Ross struck out seven batters against the sixth-seeded Spartans lineup.
“My mindset was just to play hard and leave it all on the field,” Ross said. “It’s my last season, so I just wanted to go out good. Back-to-back is amazing. We always strive for it, but this one is extra special because this is a really good group of girls that were awesome to play with. It’s just good to go out on a high note and to finish the season strong.
“I’m glad to have the people behind my back that I did.”
Eaton lost just one game this season. That loss was to Holy Family, the 2022 runner-up in Class 4A and this year’s 4A state tournament top overall seed. This latest softball championship is the third in the Eaton program’s history.
“Eaton’s special,” Ross said. “They’re going to be good for many years. Just the environment is what makes it so special and it’s an honor to play there.”
In the semifinals on Saturday morning, Thomas Jefferson won 5-2 over No. 2 Strasburg. Thomas Jefferson, which has never won a state title, finished the season with a 23-5 record and Saturday’s title appearance was the program’s first.
