Times are tough for the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls’ softball program. Coming off a 2012 campaign in which the team finished with a 3-16 record, MCHS enters the 2013 season with room to improve. With a new coach and a young team, optimism is running high as this years’ team tries to get the MCHS program headed in the right direction.
Leading the drive to improve will be first year head coach, Brett Martin. An experienced manager who has coached for 15 years, Martin is confident that his team has the potential to get better.
“I’ve got a young team,” said Martin. “Two seniors, 3 juniors, 11 sophomores and 8 freshmen. I’ve got a variety of skill levels from beginner to intermediate. (With the help of my assistant coaches) I hope to improve.”
To do so, Martin will rely heavily on sophomore pitcher/shortstop Tayla Topaha and sophomore utility player Aubtianna Conklin. Although both players have only one year of high school softball under their belts, each has experience playing in area recreational leagues and on summer traveling teams.
“It will be interesting to see how it goes and how quickly we learn,” said Topaha. “I would like to win at least three games and get better. We need to push people.”
“We’re a very young team,” said Conklin. “There are a lot of new players. We need a lot of practice and a lot of dedication.”
In addition to the dedication required from coaches and players to help the team improve, community support will be necessary to help turn things around. Attendance at home games is a necessity, as are sponsors to help fund upgrades for Englehart Field.
“I’m looking for sponsors to help us get an outfield fence put out before our home game,” said Martin. “It would be great for the girls to have a fence back there.”
After opening the season with two road losses to Grand Junction Central and two road losses to Grand Junction High School on Aug. 23-24, MCHS will resume play on Sept. 3 against Durango.
“We had a tough weekend (in Grand Junction),” said Martin. “It’s always tough to compete in a 5A league, but the desire to excel is definitely there. I’m hoping a lot of people will come out and support us at home.”
As the season kicks into high gear, the Panthers plan to keep working hard. No doubt, the program is in a rough spot, but with hard work and dedication, the team’s situation is sure to improve.