H.S. Softball: Indians fall shy of state

Last fall, Cheyenne Mountain eliminated Pueblo Centennial in 16 innings from the 4A softball regionals.

On Monday, the Bulldogs made sure there would be no such drama.

No. 26 seed Pueblo Centennial jumped out to a two-run lead in the first inning, and pitcher Linda Hernandez made sure No. 23 Cheyenne Mountain was never able to mount a sustained rally in a 9-2 win at Fountain-Fort Carson High School.

"We asked her for seven strong innings and she delivered," Bulldogs coach Nathan Sisneros said. "She gave us a heck of a game."

The Region 7 game was played in Fountain because the elimination game was rained out Saturday. Pueblo Centennial qualified for Friday's state tournament in Aurora. New 5A and 4A state seedings and pairings will be announced today.

Hernandez struck out 11, including three in a row to conclude the sixth inning.

Those strikeouts were especially important because Cheyenne Mountain (14-8) had managed its only rally of the game.

Kristi Small led off with a single. That was followed by a double to deep center by pitcher MeKella Galliart.

Cleanup batter Taylor Cobb ripped a two-run single to make it 9-2, but Hernandez struck out the next three batters in 12 pitches to end the threat.

The bottom of the Indians order (Nos. 5-8) appeared timid all game, batting a collective 0-for-14 with one walk and seven strikeouts.

"If our team wasn't ready to play, then I take the blame," Indians coach Gary Krug said.

Pueblo Centennial took its 2-0 lead after a dropped third strike, single and walk loaded the bases against Galliart.

Galliart got ahead in the count 0-2 but left the next pitch over the plate. Tori Spinuzzi made her pay with a two-run single.

Spinuzzi, who finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, led an impressive hitting performance by the Bulldogs (13-9).

The Nos. 2-4 batters went 8-for-13 with seven RBIs.

The Bulldogs pulled away with two runs in the third and fourth innings before putting the game out of reach with a three-run sixth.

Indians assistant Steve Schriener left his cleats on home plate to announce his retirement from coaching. Krug said he is considering retirement as well.

Loveland 10, Palmer 0

At Louisville: No. 31 seed Palmer (10-12) saw its playoff run came to an end in the fifth inning of a 5A Region 8 elimination game when Loveland (16-6) scored nine runs.

Palmer senior pitcher Stephanie Ives had kept the potent Loveland batters under control before errors opened the floodgates.

Loveland advanced to state Friday in Aurora.

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Contact the writer: 636-0260 or joseph.paisley@gazette.com.