Every summer, prep softball players face a choice: Kick back and relax or hit the diamond and hone their skills. This summer, a group of 14- and 15-year-old girls have chosen the latter option. Competing for a recently formed club team dubbed the Cortez Rampage, the girls have been practicing regularly and plan on competing in tournaments throughout the summer.
The Rampage, formed last year by a group of parents, provides team members with an opportunity to improve their hitting, fielding and base-running skills. Coached by Scott Tullis and Angelo Topaha, the team practices two or three nights per week.
“It is very important to have club teams in the summer if we want to stay competitive with other towns,” said Tullis. “You can really see the difference between players who practice year round and players who only practice during the high school season.”
The Cortez Rampage is currently made up of 13 girls who were selected based on both their softball skills and their dedication. Team members include Brenna Leonard, Cassidy Leonard, Chantelle Ford, Larissa Umberger, Larissa Martin, Weslie Kirks, Abriana Conklin, Journi Black, Shavargus Noyes, Stevee Brenner, Britney Tullis, Kitty Wallace and Kayla Topaha. While the majority of the Rampage’s members are 14 years old, a few members are 15, meaning that the team generally competes in the 16-and-under age bracket.
Competing in an 18-and-under tournament in Gunnison June 7-9, the Rampage played well. Although the first game resulted in a 14-4 loss to the eventual champion, Basalt, the team rebounded in their second game, beating Gunnison by a score of 6-2. In their third game, the Rampage tied with a team from Montrose 3-3. In the final game of the tournament, the Rampage trailed 13-2 going into the final inning. After two outs were recorded, the Rampage stormed back, scoring 10 runs in the frame before eventually losing 13-12.
Next up for the Rampage is a 16-and-under tournament in Farmington, which takes place June 14-16. The team also plans to play a doubleheader against a team from Bloomfield on June 29.
“I expect all the practice time and game experience to pay off,” said Tullis. “Putting in all this extra work is going to make us competitive in the years to come.”
The Cortez Rampage is currently sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and Pasco, each of which provided the team with $500 to cover expenses. Parents also make the Rampage possible by providing funding and transportation for team members.
Although the Cortez Rampage is currently full for the summer season, anyone interested in a roster spot on next year’s team can contact Scott Tullis at (970) 570-5270.