The Durango High School softball team started its season with a pair of commanding victories on Saturday, beating the Aspen Skiers in Grand Junction 20-0 and 21-0.
“It was a great start to the season,” said DHS head coach John Bernazzani. “The players were excited and played sound fundamental ball. They seemed to be as relaxed as I’ve seen them to open a season.”
In Game 1 of the doubleheader, Teagan Kehm tossed a no-hitter against the Skiers, striking out seven and walking one in three innings on the mound.
“She had an incredible day,” Bernazzani said. “She kept the ball down and filled the strike zone.”
On offense, all nine Demons scored at least one run in the first game. Sydney Flores went 2-for-2, hit a home run, stole two bases and drove in four runs for Durango.
Carly Piccoli went 2-for-2, stole a pair of bags and scored three times.
Kelly Arthur also went 2-for-2, scoring three runs and driving home three RBIs.
“We excelled at base running, made great adjustments at the plate and hit the ball well,” Bernazzani said. “We’re used to seeing pitching with more velocity, so we had to make adjustments, and the girls certainly did it that day.”
Unfortunately for Kehm, she also got hit by three pitches in the first game.
In the second game, every Demon in the starting lineup again scored at least one run as Durango ran away from the Skiers early.
Mia Mordecai hit a double and triple in the contest, going 3-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs. Alaysia Kremer went 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs. Piccoli went 3-for-3 with four runs and two RBIs.
Kristianna Brann had a perfect game at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI, as did Mia Baguskas, with a 2-for-2 outing with three runs and two RBIs. Macy Moore went 1-1 with a run and an RBI.
Flores and Moore, meanwhile, combined to pitch a no-hitter for Durango.
“All in all, it was a good doubleheader sweep in the heat,” Bernazzani said.
Durango will now return home for a pair of doubleheaders. On Thursday, the Demons will host Cortez with contests set for 3 and 5 p.m.
Then on Saturday, Durango will welcome Southwestern League foe Montrose to town for games at 10 a.m. and noon.
