AURORA | Cherokee Trail started the softball season in a big way Tuesday, hammering visiting Legend 16-6 in five innings.
The Cougars — with a large group of players returning from the team that made last season’s Class 5A state softball tournament — pounded out 17 hits and scored at least two runs in all four at-bats to cruise in their season opener.
Mo Worthington went 4-for-4 and scored four times from the top of the lineup and Christian Bobian, Emily Sparks and Zoe Hinton drove in four runs apiece as Cherokee Trail won its opener for the third straight season.
“We have to play significantly better in the outfield and our pitching needs some work, but it was good to see the offense hit the ball hard the whole day,” said Cougars coach Dick Hormann, whose team blew the game open with a seven-run second inning.
Taylor Leill picked up the pitching victory with two innings in relief of Bobian, allowing two runs on three hits.
The Cougars have another non-league home game against Lakewood on Thursday before opening Centennial League play Saturday at Eaglecrest.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
CHEROKEE TRAIL 16, LEGEND 6 (5 INN.)
Score by innings (r-h-e):
Legend 110 22 — 6 9 2
Ch. Trail 272 5x — 16 17 2
CHEROKEE TRAIL (ab-r-h-rbi)
Christian Bobian 4-1-2-4, Lyndsey Knabenshue 3-2-2-0, Darian Higens 3-1-1-0, Emily Sparks 3-2-3-4, Zoe Hinton 3-2-2-4, Savanna Ott 2-1-1-0, Mo Worthington 4-4-4-2, Sara Runia 3-2-2-1, Chelsea Clay 3-0-0-1, Miranda Davis 1-1-0-0. Totals 29-16-17-16. Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so): Christian Bobian (2-3-2-2-3-0), Taylor Leill (W, 2-3-2-2-1-2), Kayla Machburn (1-3-2-0-1-0).
Thank you for the coverage.