AURORA | Cherokee Trail softball coach Caley Mitchell put the brakes on her runner rounding third base in the bottom of the sixth inning of Monday’s Centennial League clash with Smoky Hill.
That runner never scored, but the inning didn’t get completed either, as extreme weather arrived just as the drama thickened in the battle between the rival Cougars and Buffaloes.
With lightning less than a mile away and Cherokee Trail poised to strike with runners on first and third base and two outs, the game was suspended with Smoky Hill (which won the first meeting) up 5-4. The resumption of the game is to be announced, but could possibly take place Friday.
In the second game between the teams in nine days — the product of a Centennial League-only schedule caused by the coronavirus pandemic — Amrajie Bass hit a two-run home run and Delaney Farnsworth, Paris Elsberry and Khya Jennings drove in runs to give coach B.J. Kingsbaker’s Buffs (3-0 overall, 2-0 Centennial League) team a three-run edge.
Cherokee Trail (2-1, 1-1) countered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth against Kenedy Sandoval with a rally started when Chiara Pryor singled and Ryleigh Cruz reached on an error. Brooke Scott’s flare to shallow center was caught by second baseman Jahlisa Klear, but brought home a run, as did Caitlin Cushenbery’s double to right field.
Farnsworth came on in relief and got a foul pop up tracked down by Klear and struck out Kelsey Bell to end the threat.
Cherokee Trail starter Jenna Medhus recorded a 1-2-3 top of the sixth to give her offense another chance and the inning started with an Abby Rupeka walk. A sac bunt by Addison Krei moved pinch runner Alyssa Fullmer into scoring position and she nearly came home when Jaelyn Martinez singled sharply to right field before Mitchell signaled her to stop.
Farnsworth struck out Pryor for the second run of the inning and the game was called shortly after Cruz came to the plate. Shortly after the teams and fans took shelter, the game was called.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports