October 26th 2024.
The Riverdale Ridge high school softball team has made a huge statement in their first year competing in Class 5A. After defeating Broomfield 9-8 in the semifinals and Cherokee Trail 8-4 in the championship game on Saturday, they are now the reigning state champions. This is a remarkable achievement for the young school, as it is their first team title in Class 5A and only their third overall, following previous wins in boys golf and girls basketball.
But the journey to this title was not an easy one. When the team first started six years ago, they only had seven players at their first practice. Coach Ray Garza recalls that moment, saying, "That first practice, us coaches looked at each other and I said, 'It's time to walk the halls.' We ended up making the state playoffs that year in 3A as a freshman/sophomore school, and we ended up with 21 girls on the team, many of whom hadn't played before."
Since then, the Ravens have steadily improved, making a name for themselves in the 4A state tournament over the past three years. They even made it to the finals last season, but fell short to Lutheran. However, this year, they were determined to finally reach the top and they did just that with a talented pitching trio. Coach Garza calls them the team's "three-headed monster" and they were instrumental in securing the title. Seniors Brynn Trujillo, Mady Ortiz, and Jazmyn Sandoval all played a crucial role in leading the Ravens to victory.
Their journey to the title was not without its challenges. After a quarterfinal win over Columbine on Friday, the Ravens faced Broomfield in the semifinals. Ortiz pitched five innings before Trujillo came in to close out the game. In the championship game against Cherokee Trail, they switched roles, with Trujillo pitching five innings and Ortiz finishing the game. And, of course, the Ravens' lineup was strong as well, with players who could hit from top to bottom.
Their opponent, Cherokee Trail, put up a good fight, but the Ravens' offense was too much for them to handle. Senior Zoie Linville's RBI single gave Riverdale Ridge an early lead, followed by Ortiz's solo homer and Linville's sacrifice fly. The Ravens added five more runs in the fifth inning to make it 8-1. Cherokee Trail did manage to score three runs, but it wasn't enough to catch up to the Ravens.
For the Riverdale Ridge players, this victory means more than just a state title. It symbolizes their rise to the top of Colorado sports. Trujillo, a four-year starter and team captain, says, "This first 5A title means so much. This is just the start of us winning a lot at the Class 5A level across all sports, not just softball. There's definitely more to come."
Coach Garza also recognizes the significance of this win, saying, "We struggled a little bit early in the season, but that trip to Georgia was big for us. We played some pretty good softball teams and realized we weren't as good as we thought we were. We got back to work, kept our heads down while grinding, and we didn't lose since."
The Ravens finished the season with a record of 25-4 and a 20-game win streak, while their opponent, Cherokee Trail, finished with a record of 24-5. But for the Riverdale Ridge community, this is just the beginning. They have proven that they can compete at the highest level and they have their sights set on future success in all sports. So, keep an eye out for this rising Thornton power. And if you want to stay updated on all the latest sports news, be sure to sign up for the Sports Omelette.
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