GJHS softball team hits their way to playoffs

GJ faces Chaparral in their first game in their regional battle

Eli Schultz and Ramona Ripple • October 16, 2024

The GJHS infielders celebrate after getting an out against Palisade High School. The Tigers will compete in the Class 5A state playoffs starting this Saturday against Chaparral High School.

Grand Junction High School softball hit their way into the Class 5A regional playoffs.

The Tigers will be traveling to Aurora where the host team is Cherokee Trail. The regional bracket will be played Saturday, Oct. 18, with two teams advancing to state.

“This season is going a lot better than last year, I think we’re really clicking more as a team. I feel like there’s a lot more motivation to do our best and win since most of last year’s team was seniors,” said GJHS junior Jaxon Clark.

No. 17-seed GJHS will face a first-round game against No. 16-seed Chaparral High School. The winner will then play the winner of No. 1 Cherokee Trail against No. 32 Pine Creek to advance. The losing teams will meet in the consolation bracket with another chance to advance.

The GJHS softball team takes a 14-9 record into the playoffs. The Tigers were placed in a tough bracket with the No. 1 team Cherokee Trail.

“I think we have a pretty good chance of making it to state, this year’s team is really strong and I feel like we’ve all really connected as a team,” said GJHS senior Lindsey Cooley.

Some of the top players for the Tigers include juniors Ashley Gonzalez, Alexis Walpole, Clark and senior Cooley.

“I’m really excited, I think we have a strong chance of going farther than we did last year,” said Clark.

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About the Contributors

Eli Schultz, Reporter

Eli Schultz is a Junior at GJHS and a reporter for the Orange & Black. He is a wrestler and football player for GJHS. He first joined the Orange & Black his freshmen year.

Ramona Ripple, Reporter

Ramona is a junior student and takes on the role of a Reporter for the Orange and Black this 2024-25 school year. It’s her second year on the Orange and Black, and she's looking forward to improving her skills and having fun while doing it. She enjoys reading, traveling, and going to concerts.