Softball: Fairview’s Julia Savage Powers Through Senior Season with Bat and Leadership

AURORA – Whether batting in Birkenstocks in practice or leading the team in RBIs, Fairview senior Julia Savage has spent her high school career making softball look effortless.

A senior headed to Lehigh University next year, Savage has spent years turning a childhood love of T-ball into a powerhouse career.

“I started with T-ball and baseball, but when I tried softball, I immediately loved it,” she said. “It just seemed fun, and I was good at it.”

By the time she hit her first home run in club ball, she knew this was her sport.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I’m kind of good at this.'”

Her fearlessness and talent were clear even in practice.

Coach David Castillo recalls one spring day when Julia stepped into batting practice wearing sandals and nearly hit the ball out of Fairview’s 330-foot field.

“That’s just who she is,” he said.

Savage is among the players to watch with CHSAA postseason softball play just around the corner. Through Thursday, only Columbine’s Nina Vargas, with 12, has more homers than Savage’s 11. Valor Christian’s Kendall Ferguson, who led the nation with 24 homers last year, has nine homers while hitting .500. Arvada’s Amiah Picaso is batting a state-leading .767 and Addison Gallegos of Lakewood has a state-best 48 RBIs.

In the circle, Frederick’s Elayna Fisher is 16-5, Emmaline Humphreys of Holy Family has 186 strikeouts to go with a 1.02 ERA, and Jenna McGinnis has a state-leading 0.52 ERA in 54 innings.

Among teams, Broomfield is 15-2 and ranked No. 1 in 5A in the CHSAA seeding index, with Windsor atop the 4A rankings at 19-1 and Eaton leading 3A at 16-4.

Postseason play starts with regional tournaments on Oct. 17 and 18, with the state tournaments scheduled for Oct. 24 and 25 at the Aurora Sports Park.

After an excellent start to the season, Fairview has hit a tough spot in its schedule and is 7-13 with three regular-season games remaining.

Savage, who was second in the state last year with 15 homers while batting .574, has followed up with a strong season, batting .646 with a team-high 26 RBIs. In her four-year career, she’s hit an outstanding .622 (125-for-201) with 26 doubles, 17 triples, 39 homers and 102 RBIs in 84 games.

Her secret? Staying relaxed, having fun, and taking it one at-bat at a time.

“My teammates make me laugh before I step in,” she said. “I just focus on doing my best for them. I don’t put extra pressure on myself.”

Coach Castillo has watched Savage grow into a complete player.

“She really leads by example,” he said. “She knows how to strike the right balance between having fun and locking in when it’s time to compete. That kind of composure and internal drive is rare.”

But her talent goes beyond hitting. Castillo has seen her step into nearly every position on the field: shortstop, center field, first base, and she’s even shown interest in pitching.

“She’s becoming like the queen in chess: versatile, adaptable, and the most powerful piece on the board,” he said.

What really sets Savage apart is her leadership. Whether she’s joking with a teammate to ease pressure or encouraging the whole team after a rough inning, she lifts everyone around her.

“It’s not about accountability,” she said. “It’s about helping each other grow and enjoy the game.”

Even with her dominance, opponents don’t make it easy. Pitchers challenge her directly, and she welcomes it.

“It keeps me humble and pushes me to improve,” she said.

Looking ahead, Savage hopes to match or surpass last year’s home run total, earn a higher all-state honor, and leave a lasting legacy at Fairview.

“Softball will definitely stay part of my life,” she said. “Even just practicing with friends is such a good time. I can’t imagine ever letting it go.”

For Savage, the softball diamond is more than just a field — it’s a place to compete, laugh, and lead. As she finishes her final high school season and moves on to Lehigh, Fairview will be watching every swing.