The Greeley West Spartans softball team is starting the season off hot, being 6-0 against opponents through a week of play.  Many games have ended in just three innings because of a 15-run mercy rule.  

The Spartans’ offense has been a big reason for the hot start  West is averaging 16.16 runs per game during its winning streak. Junior Ellyse Hydock is pitching a 2.33 ERA through six games. West opponents have combined to score just 2.5 runs per game and have been shut out twice.  Even more impresive is Hydock’s offensive numbers.  She is batting .636 with a whopping 1.272 slugging percentage.  

West’s closest game was Sterling and the Spartans still won by five runs.

This could all change tomorrow when West matches up against its toughest opponent so far this season, Monarch.  Hydock said that it’s important for the Spartans to maintain their confidence.  “We are going to go in with the same mindset that we have been and beat them as much as possible, ” Hydock said.

Last year the Greeley West posted a 14-12 record giving them their ticket to the playoffs. In the regional round, they had a record of 1-2 winning against Pueblo South in their first game and eventually getting eliminated by them in their last game. The teams hopes to make a deeper playoff run this year.  That focus is one of the reasons West is off to such a quick start.  

West head coach Kaylyn Kingman was excited about last year’s performance but expects more from the team this season.  She said others also expect more of them.

“We have a target on our back. Everyone knows where we made it at regionals; that sent a big expectation for this season,” Kingman said.