Dragon Hailey Mavis (6) crosses home plate to accept congratulations from teammates on her sixth-inning grand slam against Brush in regional softball action at Rocky Ford Saturday. Earlier in the same inning, Molly Brown hit a solo home run for a five-run inning for the Dragons, allowing them to pull within three. The Beetdiggers managed seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the win. — Jessica Cumming
Softball season closes at regionals
Holyoke softball made its first and final postseason appearance last Saturday, Oct. 13, losing to Brush and Rocky Ford in 3A regional competition, 10-20 and 1-16.
Played in Rocky Ford, the tournament marked the end of a six-year postseason drought for the Dragons, who last made regionals in 2012. The 2018 team was also the first to be led into the postseason by head coach Sherman Kage.
Holyoke had its hands full with Brush, who was the runner-up in last year’s 3A state competition, and Rocky Ford, who made quarterfinals the same year.
Kage said the team showed tremendous resilience and determination throughout the season and especially at the Oct. 13 tournament.
“The girls battled through adversity all year long and continued to play at a high level, which just shows the amount of grit we have,” Kage said.
Holyoke pulled down massive victories this season, despite being forced to adapt to holes left by multiple injured and missing players. They finished with a 15-10 season record.
Kage said last Saturday’s losses were frustrating to watch and due largely to nerves.
“I think they had the opportunity several times to win that game,” he said of the team’s first showing against Brush. “But I couldn’t be more proud of all of the accomplishments they made and all of the hurdles they jumped this season.”
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