Regularly one of the top softball programs in the state, the Frederick Warriors know the drill when it comes to navigating a postseason schedule and the value of playing at home in the regional round.
Their desire to host a regional tournament showed in the way the Warriors finished out the 2017 regular season. Behind two strong outings from starting pitcher Makenna Goodard and some timely hitting, the Warriors (13-6) routed Windsor (10-9) and won their season finally against No. 2-ranked Holy Family (14-4) to move up to eighth in the final RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) standings and lock up the final host slot.
On Saturday at 10 a.m, the Warriors will kick off the postseason in Region 2 against Pueblo East (9-10), and they’ll do it on their own field.
Also hosting a 4A regional, the Erie Tigers (14-5) will play at home for the Region 3 tournament as the fifth overall seed. They’ll kick off the postseason against No. 28 George Washington (13-5) at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“I think it’s awesome how many Tri-Valley teams are in the playoffs,” Erie head coach Harold Simmons said. “Over the years, I think our conference has been really strong so having as many teams in as we do is deserving. We all play a really strong out-of-conference schedule, too. As far as us hosting, we love playing at Erie High and we’ve enjoyed hosting there the last three years. It’s a good atmosphere, I think.”
Despite coming into the playoffs as the No. 2 team in the CHSAANow.com rankings, the Holy Family Tigers finished the regular season 12th in the 4A RPI standings and will not host a regional tournament. Instead, they’ll head to Erie to take on No. 21 Wheat Ridge (9-10) in the first round and could potentially face Erie in a Tri-Valley League rematch in the regional title game. With seven of the eight Tri-Valley League teams qualifying for the regional round, No. 27 Mead (10-9) will travel to face host No. 6 Pueblo Central (15-4) in the first round of the Region 6 tournament.
No. 18 Silver Creek (14-4-1) will also head down to Pueblo to take on No. 15 Mullen (12-7) at Pueblo West. No. 26 Longmont (11-8) will travel to face host No. 7 Thomas Jefferson (17-2) in the Region 7 opener.
In 5A, reigning runner-up Broomfield (13-6) claimed the No. 12 seed and will play No. 21 Cherry Creek (9-10) at Prairie View on Saturday. With the No. 4 seed, Legacy (16-3) will host Chatfield (9-10) in the first round on Saturday.
In 3A, Lyons (6-13) enters the regional round as the No. 20 seed at will play Delta (11-8) at Lamar on Saturday.
Class 5A
Region 3, at Brighton Youth Sports Complex
(12) Broomfield (13-6) vs. (21) Cherry Creek (9-10), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Region 4, at Legacy H.S.
(4) Legacy (16-3) vs. (29) Chatfield (9-10), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Class 4A
Region 2, at Frederick H.S.
(8) Frederick (13-6) vs. (25) Pueblo East (9-10), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Region 3, at Erie H.S.
(5) Erie (14-5) vs. (28) George Washington (13-5), Saturday, 10 a.m.
(12) Holy Family (14-4) vs. (21) Wheat Ridge (9-10), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Region 6, at Pueblo Central H.S.
(27) Mead (10-9) vs. (6) Pueblo Central (15-4), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Region 7, at Thomas Jefferson H.S.
(26) Longmont (11-8) vs. (7) Thomas Jefferson (17-2), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Region 8, at Lovell Park in Pueblo
(18) Silver Creek (14-4-1) vs. (15) Mullen (12-7), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Class 3A
Region 4, At Lamar H.S.
(20) Lyons (6-13) vs. (13) Delta (11-8), Saturday, 10 a.m.
Brad Cochi: cochib@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/BradCochi
