Softball team heads to State

The Green River High School Girls Softball Team will play their first state competition game ever today in Gillette. The team, which didn't win any games in their inaugural season last year, secured their spot in the state competition after winning last Friday's game against Worland. 

"We took care of business with Worland," head coach Blair Aimone said. 

The conference game ended with Green River winning 13-1. The second game was a shut-out with Green River winning 28-0.

"The girls' bats came alive against Worland," Aimone said. "We did the fundamental things right - tough defense, barely had any errors, and they just hit the ball really well." 

Last weekend the Lady Wolves also took on Cody with two games on Saturday, but ended up losing the conference game 19-6 and the following game 6-1.

"We jumped on Cody quick but then just couldn't keep the defense together to pull out a win," Aimone explained.

Despite the loss against Cody, the win against Worland was all the team needed to be one of the eight teams across Wyoming playing in the state tournament this weekend, which was what Aimone was aiming for all season.

"We accomplished what our goal was and did what we needed to do, so I'm happy," she said.

Aimone is especially proud of the girls since they went from not winning at all last year to showing what they're capable of this season.

"Now we're not only competitive but we made it to state," Aimone said. "That's been a testament to those girls' work ethic and the hard work that they have put in, so they deserve all the credit. They fought, they battled, and they've never given up. When they make a mistake they shake it off and they try to move forward. And so that's really a testament to them and what they have accomplished." 

When they get to state today, the Lady Wolves will face off with Campbell County, the number one seed from the east region. Green River is going in as the fourth seed in the west region. Aimone acknowledged any competition at state will be tough and "there will be no easy days," but she said Campbell County is just a regular team like Green River.

"If we play fundamental defense and hit the ball I expect us to be right in there with them," Aimone said.

The state competition is a double elimination tournament, so even if the Lady Wolves lose to Campbell County, they'll get another chance to stay in the competition. However, Aimone hopes for a win in their first game, since an early win makes everything easier on the team, while playing a losers' bracket game is always difficult. However the competition turns out, Aimone expects the Lady Wolves to stand out.