Errors hurt the Durango High School softball team in Game 1 of its doubleheader with Montrose on Saturday, but the team cleaned up its fielding in Game 2 to get its first win of the season and split the series.
MHS won the first game, 7-5, but DHS took Game 2, 8-4.
In the first game, leadoff hitter Kelly Arthur scored three runs for the Demons. Tehya Barnes doubled, Cori Davis tripled, and both had two RBIs. Alaysia Kremer and Grace Pargin also scored.
Errors, however, helped the newly renamed Red Hawks take a 7-2 lead after four innings before DHS started chipping away. Andie Blowers also homered twice for MHS.
In the second game, however, DHS cleaned up its defense while its offense got 13 base hits to help Durango get its first win of the young season.
“The story is the team is starting to find its identity after losing so many seniors from last year,” said DHS head coach John Bernazzani. “They played much better offensively and much better and more relaxed defensively.”
DHS is now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the 5A/4A Southwestern League while Montrose moved to 2-1, 1-1.
Freshman Jenna Glueck threw a complete game for Durango to get the win in Game 2, striking out 10 while only giving up three walks and six hits in seven innings. “Her location was spot-on,” the coach said.
The team’s bats also came alive. Arthur had three hits, including a double, scoring twice and knocking one in. Kremer hit a triple and finished with 2 RBIs and one run scored. Ellie Casias went 3-3, driving in two and scoring two more. Molly Best had two hits, a run and an RBI. Mya Trujillo, Pargin also scored while Barnes had an RBI.
Kremer, the team’s catcher, also had a big day behind the plate.
“Alaysia is just a workhorse,” Bernazzani said “It was a hot, sunny day, but she caught the doubleheader and really made a difference.”
The Demons will next compete in Ponderosa High School’s Mustang Stampede on Friday and Saturday, taking on Columbine, Vista Ridge, Rampart, Pueblo South and Ponderosa on turf fields.
“We’re excited and looking forward to it,” Bernazzani said.
