H.S. Softball: Home run sparks Lewis-Palmer

It's more than 200 feet from home plate at Lewis-Palmer's home field to the center field fence, but the Rangers' Emily Bryant made the distance seem inconsequential during a 5-2 win over 4A Metro opponent Widefield.

Bryant's third inning home run soared over the fence, drove in catcher Heather Dettrey, and gave the Rangers (6-3) their first lead of the game, 3-2.

"Emily's home run was huge. One of the biggest hits I've seen," Rangers pitcher Mariah Peterson said. "We started off a little rough, but that really lit the fire."

Pikes Peak No. 2 Lewis-Palmer scored twice more in the fifth inning for the final margin. Pinch hitter Rachel Lee's RBI single drove in Christine Anderson, and a single by Peterson drove in Dettrey for the final run.

"This was a big game for us, especially since we knew how good Widefield is this year," Rangers coach Crystal Krebs said. "Emily came through with that home run, and I think that just gave everyone a little boost but took some of the pressure off. Mariah relaxed a little more pitching, and it just came together for us."

Peterson, who logged five strikeouts and allowed two runs, depends on her fastball-change up combo.

"I was a little rough the first inning or two and was allowing more hits than I wanted to, but I just told myself to stay calm and focus on consistency," Peterson said.
The Gladiators (8-3) scored first and were tied or in the lead until Bryant's home run.

"They made the plays and we didn't. It's that simple," Widefield coach Gary Foltz said. "We came in looking to earn some respect in the league, but this wasn't the way to do it."

A first-inning double from Jennifer Buchwalter scored second baseman Lindsy Weaver to give Widefield a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Lewis-Palmer tied it up before the end of the inning after a throwing error brought in Rangers shortstop Paige Gilles.

The Gladiators took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third after a sacrifice fly by catcher Monique Brown brought in Kristie Haugen.

"We were really in it there," Foltz said. "But that home run was a killer, a real backbreaker."

Both teams had only played one 4A Metro opponent prior to Thursday's game, and will head into the bulk of the league schedule next week.

Widefield will face No. 5 Woodland Park and Castle View next week, while Lewis-Palmer will square off against No. 6 Falcon and Mesa Ridge.

-

Contact the writer: 636-0250 or sports@gazette.com.