A split seemed like it was on the cards for the two softball games at Durango High School on Friday afternoon between Durango and Rifle. After all, Rifle was ranked 36th in 4A and Durango was ranked 37th.
The split did happen with Rifle winning the first game 5-3 and Durango winning the second game 11-3. But Durango head coach Sara Clair thought there was more on the cards for the Demons.
“I wanted to see us sweep them today,” Clair said. “If we would’ve hit a little bit better and found those holes in the first game, we would’ve won.”
Durango and Rifle each moved to 8-9 overall after Friday’s games.
A distinct play stuck out to Clair in the first game. Durango had runners on second and third late in the game. A Demon hitter smacked a line drive in between third and short. The Rifle shortstop laid out for it and caught it in a play that Clair’s rarely seen at the high school level. Down two runs at that point, if that ball got through the game could’ve been tied.
Durango had a few errors in the middle of the first game which didn’t help its cause either. Clair said there was some slower pitching in the first game which doesn’t suit the Demons. Junior pitcher Jenna Glueck did well, allowing only five runs.
The Demons hit the ball well in the first game but couldn’t find the holes in the Rifle defense. Durango found those holes in the second game.
After leading 4-1 after three innings in the second game, Durango’s bats caught fire at the bottom of the fourth. The Demons scored five runs without a single out and no home runs. Then Rifle had three quick outs to end the inning down 9-2.
Rifle also got its bats going at the top of the fifth with multiple players getting on base. Luckily, the Demons got Rifle out of the inning with only one run scored and Durango led 9-3.
Senior Molly Best hit a two-run homer over left field to start the bottom of the sixth which sealed the win for the Demons.
Durango freshman pitcher Abigail Gordon pitched the second game and had one of her better games. She finished with six strikeouts, allowed 10 hits and three runs.
“Her strength is her changeup,” Clair said about Gordon. “If she can get ahead in the count and throw a changeup to keep them off balance … she pitched great. I’m happy for her and that we got the win for her.”
Best had a stellar day at bat. She finished 4-4 with two home runs, four runs and four RBIs. Freshman Kaitlyn Downey went 2-3, had three runs and two RBIs.
The Demons stay home next Saturday for a doubleheader against Fruita Monument. The first game starts at 10 a.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
