Softball roundup: Chaparral knocks off No. 1 Riverdale Ridge in 5A upset
Thursday’s softball slate featured major top-10 upsets and high-stakes cross-classification showdowns across the state. Unranked contenders delivered statement victories while several undefeated runs continued.
(9) Chaparral 5, (1) Riverdale Ridge 4
No. 9 Chaparral (4-1) delivered a massive Class 5A upset, edging top-ranked Riverdale Ridge (5-1) by 1 run to extend its winning streak to 3 games. The dramatic outcome handed Riverdale Ridge its first loss of the season. Following the victory, Chaparral climbed to No. 6 in the latest rankings.
5A
(7) Legend 12, (10) Eaglecrest 9 — No. 7 Legend (4-0) captured a competitive Class 5A top-10 matchup on the road against No. 10 Eaglecrest (4-3) to stay undefeated. The win marks 4 consecutive victories for Legend.
4A
Rifle 6, (9) Palisade 4 — Rifle (5-2) earned a hard-fought road upset against No. 9 Palisade (2-1), pulling away by 2 runs for its second consecutive victory.
3A
Resurrection Christian 14, (1) Platte Valley 2 — Resurrection Christian (5-2) shocked Class 3A’s top team, handing Platte Valley (5-1) its first loss behind a dominant offensive performance. State RBI leader Taylor Francis anchored the lineup to spark the upset.
(8) Montezuma-Cortez 12, Delta 11 — No. 8 Montezuma-Cortez (6-0) edged Delta (6-4) by 1 run to remain unbeaten in 4A/3A Western Slope South action and extend its winning streak to 6 games. Delta fell short in the tight league contest despite state home run leader Sophia Siennicki.
Cross-classification matchups
Lutheran 10, 4A No. 7 Ponderosa 0 — Lutheran (5-2) put together a commanding performance on the road to knock off 4A No. 7 Ponderosa (2-1). The victory pushed Lutheran’s winning streak to 2 games.
3A No. 5 D’Evelyn 25, 5A No. 3 Arapahoe 11 — 3A No. 5 D’Evelyn (3-0) powered past 5A No. 3 Arapahoe (7-2) in a top-10 showdown to remain undefeated, led by state batting average co-leaders Myla Vigil and Myla Seda. The loss halted Arapahoe despite run production from state RBI leaders Delaney Cooper and Emma Henry.
5A No. 4 Greeley West 12, 3A No. 4 University 3 — 5A No. 4 Greeley West (3-0) stayed perfect on the season by topping 3A No. 4 University (6-1) in a meeting of ranked contenders. Greeley West picked up its 3rd straight win while holding off a University squad featuring state home run leader Kenny Peconi.
4A No. 6 Pueblo West 8, 5A No. 8 Liberty 4 — 4A No. 6 Pueblo West (5-1) picked up a key 5A/4A CSML Metro league win over 5A No. 8 Liberty (2-1), stretching its winning streak to 2 games. Liberty fell in its league opener despite state slugging leader Grace Joiner in the lineup.
Notable results from Thursday
- (6) Brush 12, Weld Central 0
- (2) Lyons 15, Limon 1
- (7) Strasburg 16, The Academy 0
Tonight’s slate
Cross-classification matchups
3A No. 5 University (6-1) at 4A No. 3 Windsor (2-0) (4:00 PM) — State home run co-leader Kenny Peconi leads 3A No. 5 University into a marquee matchup against 4A No. 3 Windsor.
A full schedule and final scores are on the Softball scoreboard.
Big movers in the rankings
5A
- Legend (4-0) vaulted 4 positions to No. 3 in Class 5A.
- Lutheran entered the Class 5A top 10 at No. 7 after a 4-spot rise.
- Unbeaten Denver East (3-0) moved up 2 spots to join the Class 5A rankings at No. 10.
4A
- Mead broke into the Class 4A rankings at No. 9 following a 3-spot climb.
- Rifle surged 5 spots into the Class 4A top 10 at No. 10.
3A
- D’Evelyn jumped 4 spots to claim the top ranking in Class 3A after starting 3-0.
- A 5-spot rise moved Strasburg (6-1) up to No. 2 in Class 3A.
- Montezuma-Cortez climbed 4 places to No. 4 in Class 3A with an unblemished 6-0 record.
- Resurrection Christian (5-2) entered the Class 3A top 10 at No. 10.
Full listing on the Softball rankings page.
