| Michelle Ruden slides into home during a key play against Emery last Thursday. The Dinos came from behind to defeat the Spartans 12-10 to complete the season with a 2-6 record for the year. |
The Carbon High Lady Dinos softball team recently finished the season off with a strong victory against the Emery Spartans. The victory not only added a win to the Dinos standings, but it also allowed the team to finish triumphant, after competing through a season filled with frustration.
The Dinos started out the season filled with confidence, but as the games flew by and few victories were made, the team slowly lost this confidence. The struggle did not stop here for the Dinos who had more than their fair share of close games. The season was taking its toll on the Dino team.
Although the Dinos winning record was not spectacular, the team never gave up the desire to compete. This desire fueled the fire each game the Dinos played, however this desire burned stronger as the team travelled to Emery High to take on the long time rival Spartans.
The Dinos who were considered the underdog in the match up against Emery, came out of the dugout swinging. In fact, the Dinos quickly took control of the game, leading the Spartans 6-1.
The Spartans reacted strongly however, by capitalizing on several errors made by the Dinos. In a single inning, the Spartans managed to take over the game by running six runs, boosting the score to 7-6.
As the Dinos continued to battle errors, the Spartans remained in control of the ball game by increasing their lead to 10-6 at the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Dinos who were down, were definitely not out. As the top of the fifth inning rolled around, the Dinos had scored two runs. This was the confidence booster the team needed to defeat the Spartans. In fact, the Dinos found their game and managed to stop the Spartans from scoring throughout the remainder of the game.
Not only did the Dinos stop the Spartans offensive rally, the Carbon team started one of their own. Late in the top of the seventh inning the Dinos scored three runs to add to the one run scored earlier in the inning. This raised the Dinos lead to a final score of 12-10. The team that was counted out before the first bat was swung, successfully returned home with a final victory for the season.
According to Dinos coach Tony Pinedo, “it was an entire team effort.” This effort was not only displayed in Emery, but also throughout the entire season. Despite struggling to chalk up many wins, the Dinos played a season filled with fun and excitement, leaving the season as one to be remembered.
The Dinos have played much of the season with a solid defense. When things got rough, the Dinos would almost always bounce back defensively.
The main struggle for the team was hitting. Too often, the Dinos had a difficult time following through with runners on base. In the final game of the season in Emery however, the Dinos found their swing. The team had come full circle at bat and successfully defeated the Spartans to complete the season filled with frustration.
This years team was young with several players competing for the first time at the high school level. With this factor alone, the Dinos competed with pride, while learning the skills needed in the game of softball.
With most of the players bound to return next season, the year should be a highly competative one for the Dinos.
With many memories still fresh in Dino boosters minds, the season closes with the girls from Carbon High successful. Although the team finished with a 2-6 season, the year was far more gratifying for the Dinos who came out to play and never lost the excitement of competing.