Patriot softball standings tighten up

No one has made a bigger splash so far this softball season than Northridge pitcher Kendall Kautz. It's unlikely anyone will, with Kautz throwing back-to-back perfect games in the Grizzlies' first few weeks.

Still, throughout the county, smaller schools have been making big-time noise on the softball diamond.

The Class 3A Patriot League certainly isn't short on softball contenders.

Erie is not only the team to beat in the Patriot League, it also may be the team to beat in the entire state after winning seven of the past eight state titles, including last year's crown.

Still, just because the Tigers (2-0, 3-0 overall) are the perennial league favorites, it doesn't mean there isn't a slew of worthy competitors determined to knock Erie off the top of the hill.

Valley (2-0, 3-1), Platte Valley (2-0, 2-1) and Eaton (2-1, 2-2) are all keeping pace with the talented Tigers early in the race for the league title.

No surprise the Tigers are atop the standings through the first few games. Valley and Platte Valley are right with them, and Eaton is just a half-game back.

Sure, there is still about 80 percent of the season left. But, if the first few weeks say anything at all, the Weld trio is unlikely to fade into obscurity any time soon. Each can expect to remain a factor throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.

The Vikings opened their season late last month, winning a 2-1 pitcher's duel against Fort Lupton, a team on the rise in 4A.

Since then, Valley's only blemish was a 9-1 loss on the road against Holy Family (7-0), a loaded team that finished second in the state to Erie last year after winning the title the previous year.

The Vikings have been one of just two teams to score against Holy Family and, in turn, have been in one of just two games in which the Tigers have lasted a full seven innings rather than ending early via the 10-run mercy rule.

The Vikings have displayed one of the state's top offenses. In their three wins, they have outscored their opponents 28-7.

In addition to the potent offense, they also have strong pitching behind Shae Michaels and Taylor Hutton.

Valley's two Weld county rivals, Eaton and Platte Valley, aren't about to be outdone.

Like the Vikings, the Broncos' only loss was against highly-touted Holy Family.

They fell to the Tigers 11-0 on opening day but have since bounced back with two wins, outscoring Akron and Strasburg by a combined 12-5. Defensive-minded Platte Valley even had a breakout game offensively after struggling to score runs last year, blowing past Strasburg 8-3 on Tuesday.

Like the Broncos, the Reds have been building momentum after a somewhat slow start. Eaton fell 3-2 to Strasburg and 9-2 to highly-ranked Platte Canyon but have since beat Holyoke and Yuma by a combined 16-6.

The Reds are developing pitching depth much like their counterparts on the Eaton baseball team.

In addition to senior ace Kaelie Jelden and senior Cassie Espinoza from Highland, sophomore pitcher Lacee Jansson proved she's ready for the varsity level. In her first varsity action, she had a one-hitter in an 8-0 win against Yuma on Saturday, carrying a perfect game into the sixth.

Bobby Fernandez covers the Patriot League for the Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478 or by e-mail at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com