Lightning, rain dampen softball opener for Broomfield and Ralston Valley

ARVADA — Lightning and rain proved to be the 1-2 punch that didn’t allow Broomfield and Ralston Valley to complete their softball season-opener Wednesday.

The Eagles — tied for fourth in the CHSAANow.com coaches preseason poll — had a commanding 6-0 in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of runners on base when lightning moved into the area to cause a delay. Then a downpour of rain made the field unplayable after the lightning moved on.

Broomfield coach Kale Gilmore and Ralston Valley coach Wendy Davies hoped to continue the game at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, if umpires were available to finish the game.

The Eagles — Class 5A state qualifier last season with a 21-5 recorded — showed how Broomfield will be a threat to even a deeper postseason run this year. Broomfield plated a trio of runs in the third and fourth inning to take a 6-0 lead.

Broomfield’s top four batters in the Eagles’ line-up — juniors Kiley Wheaton, Jenna Kapelke, Avery Gines and Ireland Heer — had a hand in all six runs. Gines led the way going 3-for-4 from the plate. 

The middle of the Eagles’ order also did their job. Juniors Lauren Martinez and Kaitlyn Halliday drove in a pair of runs.

Heer pitched the first four innings for Broomfield, giving up just a pair of singles. Sophomore Stella Emnott and senior Mallory Chavez mustered up singles for the Mustangs, but neither advanced to second base.

Junior Delaney Meehan took over in the pitching circle for Broomfield in the fifth inning. After giving up a lead-off single by Caley Pfeifer, Meehan struck out the side to keep Ralston Valley off the scoreboard.