With each passing season, the M-CHS softball program continues to restock the cupboard. While the program played in its sixth consecutive regional tournament, a sophomore-laden Panther program saw many of their starters making their postseason debut in their trip to the northeast corner of the state.
The Panthers, led by a trio of senior starters, battled hard, but fell Saturday to Lyons 6-2 in the opening round of the 3A Region 5 tournament.
The Lions (10-11, 3-9 3A/4A Patriot) boasted having one of the best pitchers in the classification – junior Ceci Chiaravalle – and the Panthers witnessed firsthand the challenge of manufacturing runs against the Lyons ace.
Montezuma-Cortez trailed 4-0 after the top of the first inning as the Lions capitalized on early walks and a couple of hits to gain the early edge.
The Panthers (15-7, 10-2 3A WSL) responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the opening inning, but Lyons added single runs in each of the second and third innings to build their lead to 6-1.
M-CHS would add another run in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap, but the bats fell silent, and their prolific offense couldn’t overcome the four-run deficit.
Senior Rylee Hickman collected three of the five Panther hits, including a solo home run, while classmate Lizzie Likes drove in the other Panther run. Chiaravalle struck out 16 Panthers in her complete game performance.
Likes also got the call in the circle to begin the game, and pitched through the first three innings before giving way to sophomore Devon Cornett, who kept the Lions off the board through the final four frames.
Lyons would advance to take on the host school, No. 2 Brush, with the host Beetdiggers (20-3) winning 11-1 in five innings to take the regional title. Lyons also advances to the 16-team field in the 3A state tournament.
Senior Shea Fernandez joined the Panthers who were playing their final high school contest, while a youthful collection of Panthers will look to continue a growing tradition of strong M-CHS softball. M-CHS enjoyed its fifth straight winning season and another Western Slope League title, en route to becoming one of the best programs on the Western Slope
