The end result was not what the Trojan Softball team wanted but then again, winning back-to-back championships isn't easy. One thing for sure, this team played with a lot of heart and passion each game and fought to the very end. Trinidad State ended the 2022 season with a 27-27 record and 18-12 in Region 9 play.
During the Region 9 tournament held in McCook last weekend, the Trojans won their first game over Otero College by the score of 5-1 with the big hit coming from sophomore Ka'Zem Wood, a 3-run homerun to give the Trojans the lead they never relinquished. The second day they faced #1 seed McCook Community College and lost 6-4 that dropped them into the loser's bracket to face Northeastern Junior College and lost a heartbreaker in eight innings 4-2.
"It was a tough weekend, that's for sure", head coach Steve Swazo said. "I really thought we had a good chance of repeating but it just wasn't in the cards. The other teams got some key hits when they needed them and we just fell short. I can't fault my team for the heart and passion they took into each game. They fought until the very end and as a coach, that's all I could ask for."
The Trojans will graduate (9) sophomores: Gabby Varela, Ciara Salazar, Kelly Kight, Chaunelle Penn, Ramona Fossum, Elisa Ulibarri, Katie DeVille. Ka'Zem Wood and Andrea Thompson. As of today, all with graduate and four are committed to a four-year school and three others are in talks with coaches about joining their programs.
"These young ladies represented Trinidad State in a positive light their two years here with us," Swazo said. "I know they wanted to repeat, but they still are champions in my book and leaving here with a ring and a Region 9 Championship they got as freshmen. I will miss each one and know they will be successful in what the future holds for them."
Some final statistics from the year: Freshman Sydney Loyet led the team in batting with a .429 average and not far behind was sophomore Ramona Fossum with a .415 average. Kelly Kight was third in batting average hitting .405
Fossum also led the team in hits (59) and HR (18) while freshman Angelique Navarro was second in HR with 17. For her career at Trinidad State, Fossum had 92 hits and finished with 25 homeruns in her two years.
Fellow sophomore Ka'Zem Wood was second on the team in RBI's (51) and for her career at Trinidad State finished with 18 HR. Gabby Varela led the team in doubles with 14 and for her career at Trinidad State ended with 100 hits and 18 HR. Ciara Salazar also led the team in triples with (6) this past season.
On the pitching side, freshman Kirstin Ferguson led the team with 13 wins in the circle and led the staff in strikeouts (75) and ERA (3.63) while Chaunelle Penn recorded 11 victories and leaves with a total of 21 wins in her two years at TSC.
"In my 16 years of coaching at Trinidad State, it's not about the wins or losses or even the championships; it's about seeing these student athletes graduate and leave here with a degree", coach Swazo said. "That is the winning formula for my program: to see my student athletes get that diploma and then move on to a four-year school to continue their education. That is the big WIN in my book. Another big win for me is having an assistant like coach Tori Martinez. She does more behind the scenes that goes unnoticed for the team and I couldn't have had the success without her. So a huge THANK YOU goes out to her as well."
The Trojans will return (11) freshmen and bring in (12) new incoming recruits in the fall to reload for the 2022-23 softball season.