Golden softball applies the pressure to begin 4A Jeffco League title defense

LAKEWOOD — Golden softball started its quest for a Class 4A Jeffco League repeat Tuesday with a resounding road victory.

The Demons lead from start to finish in taking a 9-3 victory over Green Mountain in both teams’ conference opener. Golden is attempting to win back-to-back league softball titles for the first time since the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

“We just managed the game I feel like,” Golden coach Steph Martinez said. “On defense we played clean. When scrapped for runs here and there we are going to be pretty good, especially with the pitcher and defense we have.”

Golden (7-4, 1-0 in 4A Jeffco) started the scoring with a 2-out rally in the top of the first inning. Senior Lucca Merz ripped a 2-run double to give the Demons the early lead.

After Green Mountain (4-6, 0-1) responded with sophomore Madison Nash scoring from third base on a wild pitch, Golden got it going with an 2-out really. Senior Katie Welte had her first of three hits and three RBIs with a run scoring single in the top of the second inning.

“Our biggest goal is to win every inning,” Welte said. “If you keep doing that you keep winning. We push to get on top and stay on top. I think we did that really well this game.”

The Demons quickly extended the lead to 6-1 with a 3-run third inning. Seniors Molli Nath, Mariela Torres and Reagan Smith produced back-to-back-to-back RBI at-bats for Golden.

Welte ripped a 2-out, 2-run RBI single in the top of the fifth inning to give the Demons an 8-1 lead.

“Katie is a leader on our team. Honestly, she has been a leader since she was a freshman,” Martinez said of Weltz, who has played in 82 varsity games over her career. “Katie hold it down on defense and offense. She leads our team.”

Welte reached base in all five at-bats, which included reaching base on an error in the first inning and being hit-by-pitch in the fourth inning. She finished the game with a single in the top of the seventh.

“Not just me, but everyone else had key hits,” Welte said of the Demons’ 11-hit attack against the Rams. “We strung hits together when we needed them and moved along runners when it was necessary.”

It might not have been necessary, but Smith delivered the exclamation point on the game with a solo home run over the fence in the top of the seventh inning.

“I asked her (Smith) for an insurance run,” Martinez said. “She got it for us.”

Green Mountain did threaten in the bottom of the seventh inning. Back-to-back hits by sophomore Ashlyn Wise and senior Caroline Salazar put runners at second and third for the Rams, but Golden veteran pitcher AD Riddle got a ground-out to end the game.

“She (Riddle) really rises to the occasion and our defense has her back,” Martinez said of Riddle who scattered eight hits while striking out six.

Golden was coming off a 2-3 record at the Dave Sanders Memorial Tournament last Friday and Saturday at Aurora Sports Park, site of the state tournament. The Demons suffered losses to Windsor, Columbine and Eaglecrest on Friday before bouncing back with wins over Lakewood and Bear Creek.

“Friday was rough for us, but we responded on Saturday. It gets us ready for league,” Martinez said of the Dave Sanders Memorial Tournament.

Golden continues league play on the road against Wheat Ridge (2-5-1, 0-1) on Thursday. The Farmers suffered a 13-0 league opener loss to D’Evelyn on Tuesday.

Green Mountain is back in action against Wheat Ridge too. The Rams host the Farmers on Saturday.