Fossil Ridges softball team competed at the 5A state competition October 20 and 21. This season the team had a 11-1 standing and are ranked 4th in state. For the past five years Fossil had made it into the semifinals, the players had high hopes going into state this year. Unfortunately, Fossil Ridge placed second overall, with Legend placing 1st in the 5A division. The Sabercats played a total of four games throughout the state competition.

The Sabercats have had a fantastic season and the team works together to do their best. As a team their batting average is .431 and the national average is .41. Fossil has an average of 19 home runs, which is 9 more than the national average. For the average amounts of bases stole, the national average is 2.5 and the Sabercats average is 58. Clearly, Fossils softball team is very talented in many aspects of the game.

Friday, October 20 Fossil started the day off with playing Grand Junction Central High school and beat them 13-9. In the 3rd inning both teams scored, Grand Junction Central was leading 2-1. The 4th inning was when the Sabercats got the lead 6-5, and were steady for the entire game. From winning the pool play, Fossil played in the quarter finals.

The Sabercats played Columbine High School, who are ranked 5th in the state. Fossil beat Columbine 4-1. The Sabercats had two runs in both the first and second inning and didn’t let the Rebels score a run until the seventh inning. After this win Fossil was headed to the semifinals.

Fossil advanced to the semifinals and played Eaglecrest High School, ranked 1st in state. This was a big game for the Sabercats, because if they won, it meant they would move on to the finals and have a chance to win the state title.In the first inning fossil was down four points but they quickly came back. Fossil had five runs in the 2nd inning, making the score 6-6. In the third and fourth inning fossil had six runs total putting them in the lead at 12-6. The final score was 20-16, Fossil beat the number one ranked team in Colorado.” To me Eaglecrest was the championship game. No one thought we would win or even have a chance, but we proved them wrong. We all worked together as a team and never gave up. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.” stated Haley Henderson.

Fossil and Legend High School both advanced to the finals and would be playing for the 5A state title. Legend is ranked 9th in the state and this season they won 8 out of the 10 games they played. Earlier this season the Sabercats lost to the Ravens 7-2. “Going into the state championship game , we were overwhelmed by the major win over Eaglecrest just a few minutes before. In a way, I think we spent to much time celebrating our successes and not enough time preparing for the next game.” said Kate Delaney. Fossil didn’t get any runs until the 5th inning, then they had 3 runs and were down with the leader board looking 3-7. With only three innings left in the game the Sabercats unfortunately didn’t have any more runs, and lost to Legend 9-3. “ In the moments right after the game, we all felt defeated. We were so close to getting the state title, but then to have it slip through our fingers like that, really got us down. Now looking back  at it, I realize that the state tournament was something we should celebrate.  I mean we beat the number one seed (Eaglecrest) in the semifinals which was huge for us. Just because it didn’t end the way we wanted it to doesn’t mean it was a failure.” Kate Delaney.

This season the team came together and worked hard to place second at state. This is a huge accomplishment and a moment they will remember forever. “ As a senior, my favorite memory from this season is definitely playing with my teammates and all we have accomplished together.” Haley Henderson.