Columbine softball musters up 7th-inning rally to defeat Ralston Valley

LITTLETON — It was better late than never for Columbine’s softball team Saturday afternoon.

With the opportunity to clinch the Class 5A Jeffco League championship for the second consecutive season, Columbine trailed Ralston Valley 1-0 on Senior Day for the Rebels at Dave Sanders Memorial Field.

An RBI double by Ralston Valley senior Evi Moorwood in the top of the fourth inning was the only scoring until Columbine was able to pull off a dramatic 2-1 victory to hoist the conference title for the sixth time since 2018.

“That was my main motivation today. To do it for the seniors,” Columbine junior Ava Kyle said of the Rebels clinching the league title.

Kyle delivered the walk-off hit with a 1-out RBI single that scored senior Nori Gaytan from second base for the walk-off win to complete the come-from-behind conference victory. The win pushed Columbine (14-7 record, 8-0 in league) to a 10-game winning streak and a 3-game lead in the conference standings with two games to play.

“It really means a lot to me,” Columbine senior Shalee Trujillo said of the Rebels wrapping up the back-to-back league titles on Senior Day. “I was excited to do it today.”

Trujillo began the rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Rebels’ top five batters in the lineup were a combined 0-for-13 entering the final inning. The senior ended the slump with a solo home run to tie things up 1-1.

“I just thinking to hit the ball hard to get on base,” Trujillo said of her approach at the plate to start the bottom of the seventh inning. “We were struggling the whole game to even get runners on base. My plan was just to hit the ball hard and see what happens.”

It was Trujillo’s third home run of the season.

“There was nobody else I would rather want up to bat at that point,” Columbine coach Jim Santaniello said of Trujillo. “She is a senior and took it upon herself to get it done. I’m just so happy for her.”

Before the game-tying home run, Santaniello had already decided to have senior Jacelyn Mayoral pinch-hit behind. Mayoral kept the momentum going with a single to get the game-winning run on the bases.

“Jacelyn coming off the bench, I love her approach at practice,” Santaniello said. “I throw a ton of pitches to her and she hits it hard. She got the call and she rose to the occasion.”

Gayan pitch ran for Mayoral. Gayan got to second base after a sacrifice bunt by senior Chloe Welton. With one out, Kyle ended the game with the single to the outfield that allowed Gayan to sprint home.

“I was just thinking, ‘Make contact and don’t pop it up,’ but honestly I didn’t have a lot going through my head,” Kyle said of her game-winning hit. “I wanted to have a clear head.”

Kyle was mobbed by teammates after the win that will allow the Rebels to hang another league banner on the outfield fence at Dave Sanders Memorial Field.

“We want to hit our stride going into playoffs,” Santaniello said with league games remaining against Lakewood and Valor Christian this coming week. “I just told the girls that our work isn’t done. We want to run the table and be playing our best ball at regionals.”

Not to be lost in the dramatic win, Ralston Valley (11-9, 5-3) is playing some good ball. The loss ended a 4-game winning streak for the Mustangs, who picked up key conference wins over Arvada West, Chatfield, Valor Christian and Lakewood over the span of a week.

Junior pitcher Kat Mastriona held the Rebels to just five hits. She didn’t have a strikeout, but forced numerous fly-ball outs.

“Hats off to (Mastriona). She has had us tied up in knots both games,” Santaniello said referring to a tight 5-1 win at Ralston Valley on Sept. 22. “This game was all about perseverance.”