Columbine softball serves up fifth straight victory with win over Ralston Valley

ARVADA — Columbine softball has found a little momentum as the autumn season begins.

The Rebels won their fifth consecutive game Tuesday with a 5-1 road victory against Ralston Valley. Columbine (9-7, 3-0 in Class 5A Jeffco League) used a 4-run top of the first inning and solid pitching performance from junior AJ Swenby to remain undefeated in conference play.

“We started off the new season with some fierce competition. Then we got to the Sanders Tournament,” Columbine coach Jim Santaniello said of winning 4-of-5 at the tournament that the Rebels co-host with Lakewood. “They are gelling together and they believe in each other. We are starting to get those timely hits. We are excited where we are at right now.”

Columbine scored four runs and batted around in the top of the first inning against Ralston Valley (7-8, 1-2). Senior Chloe Welton had an RBI single and junior Ava Kyle had a 2-run single to highlight the 4-run inning.

However, Ralston Valley junior pitcher Kat Mastriona settled in. Columbine didn’t score from the second through the six inning while mustering up just two hits. The Rebels had 11 fly outs during the 5-inning stretch.

“Credit to their pitcher (Mastriona). She hit her spots,” Santaniello said of the Rebels’ bats going silent through the middle innings. “Whatever she was doing kept us off our stride and on our front foot. There were a lot of pop outs.”

The Rebels did get an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Senior Charlee Abelein ripped a 1-out triple after Mastriona had retired eight straight batters.

“I had a 3-1 count and was just hoping to go after the best pitch came at me,” Abelein said of her first triple in a high school career. “I just saw the pitching coming inside middle.”

Abelein later scored when Swenby helped herself out with an RBI double to deep centerfield. The junior picked up her eight victory in the circle striking out eight.

“We have a lot of confidence with AJ in the circle,” Santaniello said after Swenby threw a complete-game allowing no earned runs and two hits. “If our offense can do a pretty good job we know we are probably going to get the victory. We have been relying heavily on her (Swenby).”

The Mustangs only run came after back-to-back walks and an error plated Ralston Valley’s lone run.

“I like everything that I always see from AJ,” Abelein said from her catcher’s point of view. “She always gives 100 percent effort. We like working together.”

Columbine hosts Lakewood on Thursday before heading to Highlands Ranch for a big conference showdown versus Valor Christian (11-4, 3-0) at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The Eagles are the only 5A Jeffco team with 10 wins already under their belt.

“That game is going to be really big,” Abelein said of the road game at Valor this weekend. “I think it is going to be a dogfight on Saturday.”

Ralston Valley is at rival Arvada West (2-12, 0-3) on Thursday prior to hosting Chatfield (7-9, 2-1) at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, as league play really starts to heat up in 5A Jeffco.

The Mustangs got off to a rough 0-6 record to start the season, but was able to right the ship with 6-game winning streak that was ended last week with a close 13-12 loss to Valor Christian.