Softball: Legacy wins region, eyes bigger prize

BROOMFIELD — Legacy's celebration after winning its region on Saturday afternoon was a bit subdued.

A few hugs, some high-fiving, and a couple posed pictures for the parents. The real party is reserved for bigger things.

"We're out to win state, not to get to state" Legacy pitcher Hannah Farley said. "We know what our goal is and where we should be."

The Lightning punched their ticket back to the big dance on the strength of two dominant pitching performances at Broomfield Community Park. Isabella Kelly tamed Northglenn over seven strong innings to start the day, and Farley twirled seven spotless frames in a 7-0 win over Regis Jesuit in the 5A Region 3 finale.

Legacy, which hasn't won a state title since winning its sixth in seven years in 2013, is hoping to get back into the winner's circle this weekend. The state tournament begins on Friday at Aurora Sports Park.

"They got a big challenge when they have an alumni that's got six," Legacy coach Dawn Gaffin said. "I know they're ready. I have complete faith and utter trust in them."

Lauren Strathearn homered in a three-run fifth in the final game for Legacy, and Riley Olson had a two-run single in a three-run second. Farley, meanwhile — in a mesmerizing performance that followed suit to her stellar season — allowed just four hits across seven innings. The junior ace, lowering her season ERA to 2.30, struck out nine and walked one.

"Hannah and Izzy are great one-two punch," Gaffin said. "They're both very strong, which really helps us in the long run when you go into state and have to play four games in two days."

Backing Farley in the final, the Lightning scored three runs in the second — all with two outs. After Strathearn was intentionally passed to load the bases, Kendall Aragon brought in the first run with a five-pitch walk followed by Olson' two-run single.

Then things got kooky in the fifth. Kiara Pfeifer walked, and Kaitlin Strachan laid down a bunt that ended up scoring both. An error over the Regis first baseman's glove rolled along the right-field fence and allowed Pfeifer and Strachan to race home. Strachan, just beating the throw at the plate, was mobbed by her teammates on the way back to the dugout.

Moments later, Strathearn kept the momentum going with her second homer of the season. The senior sprinted to second before realizing her ball had cleared the fence.

"I didn't expect it to go over," she cracked.

In Game 1, Kelly threw seven strong innings in a 7-3 victory over Northglenn. The senior pitcher allowed six hits and two earned runs, while striking out two and walking four. Alyssa Archuleta had two doubles and Logan Taylor drove in two in the win.

Brent W. New: bwnew@prairiemountainmedia.com and @brentwnew

Legacy 7, Regis Jesuit 0

At Broomfield Community Park

Regis Jesuit000 000 0 — 0 4 2

Legacy030 031 0 — 7 10 0

W — Legacy Farley (13-2). L — Smith (0-2).

Regis Jesuit hitting (ab-r-h-rbi) — Redden 3-0-0-0, Caldwell 3-0-1-0, Valdez 3-0-2-0, Smith 2-0-0-0, Cal 3-0-0-0, Macias 2-0-0-0, Marshall 3-0-1-0, Stortz 2-0-0-0, Dinkel 2-0-0-0.

Legacy hitting (ab-r-h-rbi) — Strathearn 2-2-2-1, Aragon 2-0-1-1, Olson 3-0-2-2, Taylor 4-0-0-0, Archuleta 4-0-1-0, Hernandez-Belew 2-2-0-0, Conradie 4-0-2-1, Pfeifer 2-1-1-0, Esquibel 1-0-0-0, Strachan 3-1-1-0.

Regis Jesuit pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) — Smith 4.2-10-7-4-5-2, Cal 1.1-0-0-0-2-1.

Legacy pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) — Farley 7-4-0-0-1-9.