Aurora Sports Park has become the Reds’ softball team’s second home for the past decade as the Reds continue to add silverware to their ever-growing dynasty.
Compared to the recent successes of today, the first five years of the dynasty softball coaches Dale Hughes and Chad Shaw built were unrecognizable. Shaw and Hughes culminated and taught a winning mentality that was destined to pay off in the future.
Small victories were won each year. Eventually, these small victories compounded into greatness and investments in the past led to bigger victories now. This led the Reds to their ultimate goal, and the Reds successes today can be attributed to the work completed yesterday.
The Reds now have become all too familiar with winning and have acquired a target that only motivates them more.
Outfielder Amelia Bowden (25) said, “Everyone wants to beat us, and it motivates me to go out and do to them what they wish they could do to us.” On Oct. 25, the Reds did the work in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 3A state softball tournament. The Reds overcame Brush and Lyons, scoring 21 runs and only allowing one.
On Oct. 26, the Reds faced a familiar opponent, the Southeast Angels, who beat the Reds 5-4 during the regular season. The Reds handled the Angels with class and convincing defense and offense. The Reds won 13-4.
The Reds advanced just like they had the past two years to the state championship game against another intimate and close opponent. Just last year, the Reds defeated the Bulldogs in the state championship, and the Bulldogs were ready for revenge. These eternal 3A rivals always manage to run into each other on the diamond, whether it be baseball or softball.
The Bulldogs started quickly and took the lead 1-0 in the first inning. The Reds responded, scoring five runs and taking the lead into the second inning up four runs. Throughout the rest of the innings, Eaton stayed equipped and added insurance runs to their lead.
The Bulldogs did not make it easy for the Reds, coming within two during the eighth inning. Eaton softball’s defense remained strong.
Pitcher Johanna Galvan (25) wrapped up the game with a 5.25 earned run average (ERA), and the final swing of the bat from University rolled the ball into the infield and into the hands of Galvan. Galvan tossed the ball to the awaiting hands of Sophie Morgan (25), and that was it. Pure elation followed for the Reds. Aurora Sports Park has witnessed the coronation of Eaton softball many times before, but the feeling never gets old.
The Reds won their fourth state title in three years and their third consecutive. The word “dynasty” was thrown around before towards Eaton softball, but now the word has finally stuck. Eaton softball transformed into a powerhouse and a dynasty. Shaw said, “It’s a culmination of all the work the coaches and players put into the season. It really proves that hard work pays off. This has been a nineteen year journey for me, so seeing the results of all that work is truly rewarding not just for me or the program, but all the success and accolades the players receive is what makes the work totally worth it.”
Eaton softball finished the season 26-3 and received numerous 3A awards. Chad Shaw earned the honor of “Coach of the Year.” Shaw took the reins and was victorious in his debut season at the helm. Six players received the honor of “All State Team Recognition,” an award compiling the best 3A state softball players of the year. Emma Anderson (27), Johanna Galvan (27), Mckenzie Powell (25), Kiauna Smith (25), and Zoe Hamilton (25) were recognized.
The dynasty of Eaton softball continues to be built off of talent and discipline. Bowden added, “Overall, the success we have, I feel like it pushes us harder than anything else, because we want to continue to honor the dynasty that is being built in 3A softball.”
