It might seem like the high school softball season just began.
Accounting for time duration alone, it has just begun.
But with many squads opting to compete in measuring stick-like tournaments in the season’s opening weeks, plenty of local squads are already about a third of the way through their 23-game regular seasons.
Certainly, enough games have been played to start to distinguish the truly elite softball athletes on a local and statewide scale.
Many of those top-tier players are the usual suspects, while others are names that might be a tad less recognizable to more casual observers.
Two of the more recognizable names — University senior Natalie Galindo and Eaton junior Emma Anderson — are two of the four players that are tied for the home run lead in Class 3A, according to statistics kept on MaxPreps.com. They entered this weekend with three home runs apiece.
University player Natalie Galindo (6) throws in from the outfield during the University Bulldogs first round game against the Resurrection Christian Cougars on day one of the CHSAA 3A softball state tournament at Aurora Sports Park in Aurora Oct. 21, 2022. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)Galindo has the Bulldogs off to a sizzling start, sitting at 9-0 entering the weekend.
Eaton junior Bria Foster is tied for fourth in Class 3A in RBI. She has 17 RBI, a handful behind classification leader Julianna Alfaro of Forge Christian, who has 22.
Foster’s junior teammate Johanna Galvan is also in the top 10 in 3A, sitting tied for ninth with 15. The three-time defending 3A champion Reds enter this weekend with a 7-1 record.
Weld Central senior Jadeyn Sifuentes is sixth (.667) in 3A in batting average, while Resurrection Christian freshman Portia Hattig is eighth (.640).
Valley junior pitcher Danica Flesner is fifth in 3A in strikeouts with 45. Resurrection Christian junior Savannah Johnson and Weld Central sophomore Jennisa Hale are tied for seventh with 39 apiece.
Greeley West athlete Madison De Vault runs to first during the Greeley West Spartans softball game against the Mead Mavericks at Greeley West High School in Greeley Sept. 15, 2022. The game was the Spartans’ first on their new home field at the newly rebuilt Greeley West High School. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)Roosevelt’s lineup features one of the most consistent batters in 4A. Senior Roz Muguerza is second in batting average at .824, behind only Centaurus freshman Charlotte Crim (.867). The Rough Riders are off to a 3-1 start.
Severance sophomore pitcher Katie Thomas has sat down opposing batters at a rapid rate this fall. Her 59 strikeouts tie her for first in 4A with Pueblo Centennial’s Ellie Zinanti. The Silver Knights are 6-3-1 on the season.
Greeley West’s Madison DeVault is off to a monstrous start to her senior season. She leads 5A in batting average at .793.
DeVault is also tied for sixth in 5A in home runs with three, and she’s tied for sixth in RBI with 16. The Spartans are off to a solid 5-4 start.
Eaton player Emma Anderson, left, jumps into the arms of pitcher Johanna Galvan after winning the 3A state title in softball at Aurora Sports Park on Oct. 26. (Jim Rydbom/Greeley Tribune file photo)Statement win
Speaking of standouts on the softball diamond, Eaton may have left no doubt that it is still the team to beat in the classification as it systematically dismantled a fellow top-10 team Tuesday.
The Reds — ranked fourth in CHSAANow.com’s latest 3A rankings — defeated No. 5 Strasburg 10-0 in a five-inning mercy rule-shortened affair.
Eaton outhit the Indians 9-1.
Galvan led the way, hitting 3 for 3 with four RBI and a double. She also pitched all five shutout innings in the pitcher’s circle, allowing one hit while striking out five and walking one.
Eaton improved to 7-1 overall, 1-0 in 3A Patriot League play with that win.
Marquee matchups
There is no shortage of intriguing local matchups on the volleyball court in this early season.
On Tuesday, Platte Valley will play host to Resurrection Christian at 6:30 p.m.
This matchup will feature two of the three most recent 3A girls volleyball state champions. The Cougars won the title in 2023, and the Broncos claimed the crown in ’22.
University attacker Jordan Halley leaps to fire the ball while playing Eaton on Tuesday Sept. 24, 2024 in Eaton.(Jim Rydbom/Greeley Tribune file photo)Resurrection Christian was second and Platte Valley was fifth in CHSAA’s 3A preseason coaches poll.
Another recent state champion, University, had a prime matchup of its own on Thursday.
The Bulldogs, ranked third in CHSAA preseason 4A poll, defended their home court with a 3-0 win against Windsor Charter.
Both teams were tops teams a year ago. But, University (4-0) displayed why it is clearly one of the top contenders in 4A with its decisive 25-12, 25-12, 26-24 win against the Firebirds (5-3).
Sophomore standout Delaney Lauer led the way for the Bulldogs with 12 kills, two aces and seven digs.
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