Columbine softball hammers home another statement victory
LITTLETON — Going 2-for-2 from the plate with four RBIs is a pretty nice game for any softball player.
That was the first-inning hitting line for Columbine senior Mason Abraham who helped the Rebels to a 16-2 victory over rival Chatfield on Monday at Dave Sanders Memorial Field.
“We are on a roll and I’m feeling really good this season,” said Abraham, who had a batting average of .600 to go along with a team-high 30 hits and 22 RBIs. “I’m putting it all out for my senior year. I’m giving it all for my teammates as a senior captain. We are just passing the bat through the entire line-up.”
Abraham had a 2-run single and 2-run double in the Rebels’ 9-run first inning. Columbine (11-4 record, 4-0 in league) sent 13 batters to the plate, cranking out seven hits to take a commanding 9-0 lead in the Class 5A Jeffco League game.
“Her swing is just so sweet,” Columbine coach Jim Santaniello said of the Rebels’ starting first baseman. “When she gets at-bats she is going to take care of business.”
Abraham walked and scored on an RBI double by senior Nina Vargas in the third inning that pushed the lead to 12-2. Chatfield (3-10, 0-3) wasn’t going to let Abraham do any more damaged and intentionally walked Abraham with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
However, junior Shalee Trujillo made the Chargers pay for the move. Trujillo blasted a 3-run home run after the free pass to Abraham for a walk-off victory due to the mercy-rule through four innings.
“You just love when someone gets (intentionally) walked and the next hitter takes care of business,” Santaniello said. “I’m so proud of her (Trujillo). She is laying it all out for us this year.”
Trujillo was actually the only Rebel starter who hadn’t reached base before her blast. The junior was 0-for-3 from the plate until the walk-off home run.
“It felt good,” Trujillo after admitting she was in a bit of a hitting slump.
Junior Charlee Abelein and senior Liv Keiter both had solo home runs for the Rebels as Columbine scored double-digit runs for the eighth time this season.
“This is the expectation for this team,” Santaniello said of the Rebels averaging just over 14 runs per game during their current 5-game winning streak. “We love it, but we also expect it.”
Trujillo picked up the victory in the circle. Chatfield junior Kayla Herpstreith ripped a solo home run for the Chargers in the top of the second inning and junior Avery Aukland knocked in Chatfield’s second run in the third inning, but it wasn’t enough against the high-powered Rebels.
“There is always pressure with a rivalry game, but I was confident in myself and my team,” Trujillo said, who struck out four batters while allowing just three hits in four innings.
Columbine was able to end a 3-game losing streak to Chatfield. It was the first win over the Chargers since the 2022 season when the Rebels won the 5A state title.
Columbine and Chatfield have actually combined to win the past seven 5A Jeffco League titles.
“That is defintely one of our goals this year,” Santaniello said of winning the conference title and ending Chatfield’s hope for a 3-peat. “Chatfield is a classy program and always brings it. This game always has a little extra motivation for sure.”
Chatfield will get another chance at Columbine. The Chargers will host the Rebels on Saturday, Oct. 4.
“Obviously, we have big goals this season. Still, we are looking at it as one game at a time,” Abraham said. “Chatfield was a circled one because they are a rival school.”
