AURORA | It felt a bit like Groundhog Day for Jenna Medhus and the Cherokee Trail softball team Tuesday to open the Centennial League Challenge tournament.
The Cougars were fortunate to win both games of a doubleheader at home Saturday against a gritty Eaglecrest team, which lo and behold ended up as their first round opponent on the same field just three days later.
Cherokee Trail (12-2) found itself down early against the Raptors (3-11), but rallied back and got some insurance late in a 6-2 victory that moved coach Caley Mitchell’s team along into the semifinals of the season-ending league tournament. Junior Caitlin Cushenbery and freshman Chiara Pryor each knocked in a pair of runs for the Cougars.
Next up for the Cougars is a 4:15 p.m. Thursday home contest against third-seeded Arapahoe, which topped No. 6 Grandview 14-6 in its opener. Cherokee Trail — which posted wins of 9-3 and 7-2 against Arapahoe in the league season — is hoping to get another shot against top-seeded Smoky Hill (14-0), which moved into the semifinals with a 17-0 win against No. 8 Overland.
The Buffaloes have a 4:15 p.m. home game against No. 4 Cherry Creek (5-8), a 7-0 winner over No. 5 Mullen.
In the consolation bracket, the Raptors will be at home at 4:15 p.m. Thursday against Grandview (4-10) looking to avenge two losses to the Wolves in league play, while the Trailblazers (2-12) play host to the Mustangs (4-9) at 4:15 p.m.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
Cherokee Trail 6, Eaglecrest 2
Score by innings (r-h-e):
Eaglecrest 200 000 0 — 2 5 2
Cher. Trail 102 003 x — 6 7 0
WP — Cherokee Trail: Jenna Medhus (7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 B, 5 K). LP — Eaglecrest: Alex Hendrian. Eaglecrest hitting: Sadie Runia 2 hits; Alex Hendrian RBI. Cherokee Trail hitting: Caitlin Cushenbery 2-3, 2 RBI; Cayman Lightner 2-3, run; Chiara Pryor 2B, 2 RBI
2020 CENTENNIAL LEAGUE CHALLENGE
Sept. 29: No. 1 Smoky Hill 17, No. 8 Overland 0; No. 2 Cherokee Trail 6, No. 7 Eaglecrest 2; No. 3 Arapahoe 14, No. 6 Grandview 6; No. 4 Cherry Creek 7, No. 5 Mullen 0
Oct. 1: Championship bracket — No. 4 Cherry Creek at No. 1 Smoky Hill, 4:15 p.m.; No. 3 Arapahoe at No. 2 Cherokee Trail, 4:15 p.m.; Consolation bracket — No. 5 Mullen at No. 8 Overland, 4:15 p.m.; No. 6 Grandview at No. 7 Eaglecrest, 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 3: Matchups TBD
