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Jags softball reaches state for the first time
  
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Courtney Johnson
In the four-year history of the softball team, the Rock Canyon Jaguars have been more successful and gone a bit further every year.
The first season, they didn’t have enough players the whole season to field a junior varsity team. Last season, they made it to regionals.
“The first two years were the hardest seasons of softball I have ever played,” said senior second baseman Jessie Salus, the only player who was a part of the program since its start. “We didn’t have a pitcher or catcher and without that it is hard to have a team.”
The team concept really started to build last season when junior Melanie White and her sister, then-senior Samantha White, transferred from Arizona. The two were pitchers and brought that missing piece to the team.
“They really helped kick off the team,” Salus said. “Our desire to win came on and our whole attitude changed.”
This year, the team made it to the first round of the state playoffs, losing to Mullen 3-0.
“Our goal was to make it to the big dance,” Jags coach Debbie Kortbawi said. “To do that after only four seasons as a team I think is incredible. It shows the desire of the girls to just want to play and play even more.”
The Jaguars had very few infield errors, while starting pitcher Melanie White struck out eight batters. Still, it wasn’t enough to hold off the Mustangs.
“We didn’t hit as well as we can,” Kortbawi said. “Being here is a huge thing and the girls had a bit of trouble dealing with the pressure but that comes with being a young team.”
White said the team’s upbeat energy kept her going through the game.
“The energy level was up the whole game,” she said. “We were able to shake it off when we made an error and went right back at it. I think the game would have been different if we capitalized better. We left too many runners on.”
Going into the game against Mullen, the team was ranked 12th after finishing 12-10 overall and 5-5 in the Continental League. The team got off to a good start this season with three straight convincing wins.
“Then we got into a whole in the middle of the season,” said Salus. “We were able to get ourselves out of it by remembering that the game is supposed to be fun.”
With only four returning players and three starting freshman, the team had to find their rhythm.
“The team was kind of a smorgasbord,” said Kortbawi. “It just shows the versatility of the team. They were all willing to move around positions till we found that infield that clicked.”
Success is something that also happens off the field for the Lady Jags. The team has one of the highest GPA’s as well.
“I like to call our team the Northwestern of softball,” said Kortbawi. “They represent the true meaning of what a student athlete is. I am so proud of their ability to balance academics and to do so well as they did this season athletically.”
Next year, the team will return all but one starting player. Once again, the team hopes to at least better themselves and to make it further into the state tournament.
“Next year we will be better prepared as we will know what we are coming into,” said White. “I am excited for next year as we will have most of our starting players.”
For Salus, graduating is bittersweet.
“I know that I am leaving at a great time,” Salus said. “The team is definitely going to bring it to the next level and I will be excited to see it.”
In the four-year history of the softball team, the Rock Canyon Jaguars have been more successful and gone a bit further every year.
The first season, they didn’t have enough players the whole season to field a junior varsity team. Last season, they made it to regionals.
“The first two years were the hardest seasons of softball I have ever played,” said senior second baseman Jessie Salus, the only player who was a part of the program since its start. “We didn’t have a pitcher or catcher and without that it is hard to have a team.”
The team concept really started to build last season when junior Melanie White and her sister, then-senior Samantha White, transferred from Arizona. The two were pitchers and brought that missing piece to the team.
“They really helped kick off the team,” Salus said. “Our desire to win came on and our whole attitude changed.”
This year, the team made it to the first round of the state playoffs, losing to Mullen 3-0.
“Our goal was to make it to the big dance,” Jags coach Debbie Kortbawi said. “To do that after only four seasons as a team I think is incredible. It shows the desire of the girls to just want to play and play even more.”
The Jaguars had very few infield errors, while starting pitcher Melanie White struck out eight batters. Still, it wasn’t enough to hold off the Mustangs.
“We didn’t hit as well as we can,” Kortbawi said. “Being here is a huge thing and the girls had a bit of trouble dealing with the pressure but that comes with being a young team.”
White said the team’s upbeat energy kept her going through the game.
“The energy level was up the whole game,” she said. “We were able to shake it off when we made an error and went right back at it. I think the game would have been different if we capitalized better. We left too many runners on.”
Going into the game against Mullen, the team was ranked 12th after finishing 12-10 overall and 5-5 in the Continental League. The team got off to a good start this season with three straight convincing wins.
“Then we got into a whole in the middle of the season,” said Salus. “We were able to get ourselves out of it by remembering that the game is supposed to be fun.”
With only four returning players and three starting freshman, the team had to find their rhythm.
“The team was kind of a smorgasbord,” said Kortbawi. “It just shows the versatility of the team. They were all willing to move around positions till we found that infield that clicked.”
Success is something that also happens off the field for the Lady Jags. The team has one of the highest GPA’s as well.
“I like to call our team the Northwestern of softball,” said Kortbawi. “They represent the true meaning of what a student athlete is. I am so proud of their ability to balance academics and to do so well as they did this season athletically.”
Next year, the team will return all but one starting player. Once again, the team hopes to at least better themselves and to make it further into the state tournament.
“Next year we will be better prepared as we will know what we are coming into,” said White. “I am excited for next year as we will have most of our starting players.”
For Salus, graduating is bittersweet.
“I know that I am leaving at a great time,” Salus said. “The team is definitely going to bring it to the next level and I will be excited to see it.”
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