AURORA — It wasn’t often the Chatfield softball team found itself in tight, one-run games during the 2023 season. Even when it was in those sorts of contests, one inning was often enough to blow it open.
On Saturday in the Class 5A championship at a bustling Aurora Sports Park, the Chargers did exactly that. Chatfield erupted for seven runs in the fourth inning and never looked back against 12-time title winner Erie, sealing its first title since 1997 with an 11-3 win.
Chargers senior Karlie Cooledge was instrumental on both the mound and at the plate. She drove in four runs on a pair of hits, including a back-breaking double in the fourth to make it 6-1. That came after she reached base earlier in the inning on an error that brought in the team’s first two runs.
“It’s crazy how we can (get runs in a hurry),” Cooledge said. “Our offense is just stacked up and down the lineup. I have all the confidence in the world that we can get things going. Even if we have two outs, we can always find a way to get rolling. I know we have the capabilities to do that.
After trailing 1-0 through three innings, No. 2-seeded Chatfield (23-6) got its runs on a pair of rare Tiger errors in the fourth inning as well as four hits. Once the hit parade started, it was hard to stop the rhythm, as coach Darin Shepard has seen time and time again this season.
“Honestly, we’ve done that a lot this year. We’ll have these big innings and that’s kind of been our M.O.,” Shepard said. “I keep telling the girls no matter what the game situation is, ‘Our inning is coming,’ and we’ve done it quite a bit. To happen in the state tournament against a great team is a bonus.”
Cooledge was also efficient on the mound, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks and striking out seven Tiger batters to quell any momentum, including three after the fifth inning.
“I was super excited. I was trying to stay relaxed and calm as I was going. My changeup felt amazing, and I was just super happy to keep batters off-balance,” Cooledge said. “And then my drop ball, getting those ground ball outs was helpful, plus my rise ball getting it to eye level was definitely important.”
Chatfield has been knocking on the door the last few seasons. The program reached the semifinals in 2020 but was bounced in the Great 8 last year. The loss motivated the group to go further in 2023.
“We all wanted it so much last year, and it gave us the experience,” junior catcher Lexie Balfanz said. “That really pushed us for this year.”
Erie (23-6) was seeking to add a record 13th title to its collection but came up short. The two errors were costly for the Tigers, and when they did have chances, they couldn’t bring enough runs across the plate despite threatening late.
“I knew we had to make the plays going in, and we just had some untimely mistakes,” Erie head coach Tobin Echohawk said. “That’s just life and softball. Most of the lineup are graduating and they’ve done a great job all year. (The errors) are not characteristic of them, and it was just one of those moments, unfortunately.”
Chatfield will be returning nine next season. While the Chargers know it won’t be easy, honing on those connections will be invaluable looking toward 2024.
“We came together from five different club softball teams, and to have this season for the program end this way is really special,” Cooledge said. “We had really great connections that brought us together on and off the field.”
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