Fall is about to roll out, which means high school sports are back.
The softball season last year was exciting, to say the least, as it came down to the wire. Pueblo West won the South-Central League with a 9-1 record and a 19-8-0 record overall. Pueblo County finished second with an 8-2 record and was 22-5-0 overall. Central would finish third with a 7-3 record and was 9-14 overall.
West and County made the playoffs and met in the round of 16 where County advanced but dropped its game against Holy Family to be eliminated.
The Scorpions had a decent season last year and narrowly missed out on making the playoffs for the first time in program history. They finished 7-7 overall.
Each year, the Chieftain reaches out to the seven Pueblo High Schools and gathers the top players to watch for the upcoming girls' softball season.
Here is a look at each team’s top players to watch for the 2024-25 season.
(Note: all comments are made by the head coach)
More: Who made the list for the top 43 volleyball players to watch in Pueblo? Find out here!
Pueblo South
Head Coach: Tana Strasia
Duran plays this game at a high level and leads by example. She can play anywhere, has great range, a cannon for an arm, and has a great bat. She's our clean-up hitter and is smart at the plate. She is a great leader and is the true definition of a triple threat.
Gonzales is a wall at first base and makes it look easy. She is a solid hitter and will be a huge reason we have success this year. She's stepped into the senior leadership role and the girls really look up to her.
Tillman is one of the best teammates I've ever had the pleasure of coaching. We receive compliments from our opposing coaches about what a great leader and sportsman she is. Tillman is a vacuum playing in the hot corner at third and has a solid bat. When you watch her play, you know you are watching a player who really loves this game.
- Camille Mendell, Sophomore
Mendell is a great centerfielder and has confidence when adjusting and communicating with the outfield. She's a left-handed slapper who can read the defense really well and place the ball where she wants.
Taryn is tough. She's a solid catcher who works hard behind the plate. She's another player who is always talking to her team, has a great arm, and loves her job behind the dish. She's our leadoff hitter who is a smart base runner, has a lot of speed, and has a great bond with her pitchers.
Sniff is a hardworking pitcher who is always working on her craft. She has worked hard to play other positions and is as good at the plate as she is on the mound. She has stepped up for our team in a big way.
Decker hits the ball hard, can play anywhere on the field, and is another freshman pitcher who will add a lot of depth to our team.
Pueblo County
Head Coach: Danielle Villegas
Nesbit is a solid, all-around player. When not pitching, she will play the corners and hit clean-up. Her work ethic and leadership will set the tone for our team’s success.
Parlett will be sharing time in the circle with Olivia. She throws hard and hits spots, so we are really relying on her to lead our defense.
Faris and Mittlestadt are one and the same. They both play with passion and grit which drives our team. Their aggressiveness on the bases fuels our offense and makes things happen.
Faris and Mittlestadt are one and the same. They both play with passion and grit which drives our team. Their aggressiveness on the bases fuels our offense and makes things happen.
Doose is another player to watch this season. She is a clutch player with a strong bat and always comes up big when we need her.
Taulman is our catcher who has been hurt all summer. We are praying for positive results following her MRI so she can enjoy her senior year on the field with her friends.
Peralta is a consistent hitter in the lineup. She will usually spend time at shortstop but can play anywhere for us. She is our constant reminder to have fun.
She is another strong utility player for us, but for now, you will find her behind the plate. Her ability to throw runners out will keep our opponents on their toes.
Pueblo Centennial
Head Coach: Nick Zinanti
Lopez will hold down short while leading us on the offensive side.
Santos is steady as they come behind the dish, and has plus pop in the box.
Zinanti will be our horse in the circle, swinging a good bat as well.
Smiley will patrol Centerfield — covers the ground, has a good arm out there — we look for her to take the next step in the box.
Aragon will be our number two in the circle and likely see time at the corners in the outfield, has pop at the dish.
- Jacelynn Shadbolt, Senior
Shadbolt is one of our three "Steady Seniors.” They'll play right field. We look for her to close out her career with a bang.
Zamarripa has had a good camp. She'll see time in the outfield as well as first base.
Rivera is another one of our "Steady Seniors." She’ll play third base.
Pacheco is the last of our "Steady Seniors." She’ll play second base. We expect big things from all three this fall.
Pueblo West
Head Coach: Rick Montes
- Bradie Poteet-Herrera, Senior
Poteet-Herrera is a mainstay behind the plate and can hit the heck out of the ball.
Briggs is very steady at third base for us and can also hit the ball.
- Abigal Fadenrecht, Senior
Fadenrecht will be coming back from an injury but is working hard to get back on the mound.
- Kassidy Donley, Sophomore
Donley will be looked at for some big-time help at the pitching position this year.
Stiner is another person we are hoping to have big production from the mound.
Duran is our shortstop and is a really good athlete and she will be really good at the plate and her position.
Kuhn is one of the few freshmen we are counting on to step up for us in the pitching circle.
Pueblo Central
Head Coach: Lita Sanders
Her strength and athleticism make her a game-changer at the plate and on the bases. She will lead the SCL in numerous categories this year, according to her coach Lita Sanders.
She is a seasoned outfielder who has committed to playing college softball in Florida. She will be instrumental in leading our team into the postseason.
Padilla is a versatile infielder who is prime for a big year at the plate. Sanders says she is excited to see what she will do for the team this season.
Duque plays with grit and a lot of heart and will make an impact with her speed and defensive abilities this season.
Medina is a steady outfielder that will make some noise at the plate this season.
Dolores Huerta
Head Coach: Shelby McGraw
Cruz is going to be a huge component of the success of this team this year. They will look to her to carry the team and lead by example. She has played ball throughout her life growing up and is a veteran on the team who has great talent. This will be a transformational year for her as she will be a senior next year.
Show is hardworking and has a strong work ethic on the field and in the classroom. She is dedicated to growing as a softball player, which will help the team as she will be wearing many different hats this year, including being the catcher.
Another leader for the Scorpions on the field. She is willing to do anything and everything to help the team be better. She will also wear many hats for the team this season and wants to help and get some time in the circle this year.
More: Who made the list for the top 33 soccer players to watch in Pueblo? Find out here!
Pueblo East
Head Coach: Fred Espinoza
The East Eagles were not able to respond before the deadline of this article.
Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Check out the top 39 softball players to watch in the Pueblo area for the 2024-25 season
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