THORNTON – Riverdale Ridge freshman pitcher Brynn Trujillo started the softball season as the Ravens’ No. 5 starter. 

              Fast forward to mid-October, and you would have found her on the mound in the class 4A regional title game against Golden High School on the Ravens’ field. 

              Trujillo threw a five-inning complete game. She allowed three hits, struck out seven and had plenty of help from her offense. RRHS beat the Demons 11-1 to win a second straight regional softball title and a berth in this week’s state 4A softball tournament at Aurora Sports Park. It starts Friday, Oct. 22. 

              “Here she is being the pitcher we chose to put in the circle for the championship game,” RRHS coach Ray Garza said. “We’ve got two good pitchers. When one isn’t pitching, the other one is hitting home runs.” 

              Garza was referring to Aubree Davis, the winning pitcher in Riverdale Ridge’s 17-2 blowout win over Palisade. Davis threw a three-hitter over two innings and struck out one. Trujillo finished up by striking out the side. Neila Lucero provided some offensive punch with two hits and three RBIs. Mullin had three hits and drove in four runs. Madyson Ortiz had three hits and drove in a run, and Sydnee Fordham added three hits. 

In the game against Golden, Davis hit two home runs and drove in four. Emma Hodnet had three hits and three RBIs. Mullin added a base hit and a pair of RBIs. 

“It’s a nice problem to have,” Garza said. “She (Davis) has done good job of sharing the responsibilities in the circle. We’ve had some surprises in the circle. I just sit back and smile and let them do their thing. 

              The tournament begins Friday, Oct. 22. Pairings were due Oct. 18, after press time. 

“I don’t know what to say. I’m discombobulated,” Garza said. “There are so many girls who do so many things for this program. A lot of people didn’t think we’d be here. A lot of girls who’ve stepped in and done a great job. There’s so much that goes into this. It’s fun to sit back and relax. We’re going to get prepared to see what we can do to get us to where we want to be. There is a lot of work to be done. 

              “I don’t care who we play,” Garza added. “You’ve got to show up every day and play. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. We’re going to be there, and we’re going to give it everything we can. To be 22-3 is something I never thought would have happened.”