Niwot softball ready to take next step

After winning two of its final three games last season, the Niwot softball team is primed for continued success in 2021. Head coach Bobby Matthews' Cougars return their ace pitcher and nearly all their offensive production with plenty to prove in the 4A Longs Peak League.

Senior Ayva McComas has hit over .500 in each of her three previous seasons and will once again be a leader on the diamond. Matthews' "steady" senior shortstop was named an honorable mention to the All-State team last year and is just five RBI's away from 100 in her prep career.

The freshman season Anne Booth had provides another layer of preseason optimism. Booth, who spent her spring as a goalkeeper for the Fairview girls lacrosse team, was a bulldog for the Cougars last season as she started all but two games in the circle. She was just as impactful with a bat in her hands, hitting .457 with eight extra base hits.

Even though sophomore Autumn Rutherford hit .442 last year, Matthews still believes she has yet to reach her ceiling. Rutherford played mostly centerfield in 2020 but her ability to play shortstop and even catcher was a valuable asset for Niwot.

Niwot's mob of proven talent has only heightened the team's expectations.

"The goal is to get to the state tournament and I think the expectation is regionals," said Matthews, who enters his 11th season at Niwot. "Depending on how things work out, I think the top three in the conference is realistic for us."

Matthews added that the Cougars already know they can hang with the best teams in the conference after beating first place Riverdale Ridge and second place Frederick in 2020. Niwot ended league play in fifth place at 4-4.

One hole the Cougars will have to fill is at catcher following the graduation of Dulce Amaya. The competition for her replacement heightened after Niwot held its preseason camp on Aug. 2 prior to the beginning of tryouts on Aug. 9.

Junior Zoie Chociej has taken one of the biggest leaps in terms of improvement according to Matthews. Chociej played mostly second base last year and Matthews expects her to stick there.

"She's looked very good so far in preseason camp and during our summer workouts," Matthews said. "Offensively, she's definitely turned a corner and I'm looking for her to have a pretty big year."

Seniors Jasmine Aldama at third base and Hannah Bassett at first base are other players that Matthews expects big things from if they can master consistency. Matthews said he was forgiving last year with the chaos of COVID-19, but hopes his team can benefit from what he expects to be a more normal season.

"I'm excited for the freshmen to maybe have a homecoming game, have a homecoming week, have a full 23-game schedule (and) play our non-conference teams," Matthews said. "I'm excited for them because they haven't had that high school experience yet."

Matthews will be joined by longtime assistant coach Jason Johnson in the dugout. The junior varsity team is welcoming a new leader in former Niwot varsity baseball head coach Adam Strah.

Niwot will open its season at home on Aug. 18 against George Washington.