Columbine Softball One Win From First Jeffco Title Since 1998

ARVADA, CO — By Dennis Pleuss for CHSAANow.com/JeffCo. Columbine sophomore pitcher Korbe Otis walked out of the circle after recording her finale strikeout Tuesday with a look that there is still work to be done.

“It feels really good. We are just climbing the ladder,” Otis said after Columbine’s sixth straight win. “We are sending a message that we aren’t to be taken lightly.”

Despite a 10-3 road victory against Arvada West, No. 10 in the latest CHSAANow.com Class 5A softball rankings, the Rebels still haven’t officially locked up their first 5A Jeffco League title since 1998. However, Columbine is about as close as it could get to grabbing its first conference title in two decades.

“It feels so amazing,” Santaniello said needing just one more league win in the Rebels’ final two conference games to grab the hardware. “I’ll have to go back and see the last time we’ve won a league title at Columbine. It’s been a long time. I’m on Cloud Nine right now. We want to take care of business — run the table and be as hot as we can for the postseason.”

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Images: Columbine junior Callie Stern slides into home during the Rebels' 7-run fourth inning Tuesday at Arvada West High School. The 10-3 win put Columbine one conference win away from the program's first Jeffco League title since the 1998 season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics). 2) Columbine shortstop Kelsey Tabor, right, is just late on a tag of the sliding Arvada West senior Christaana Angelopulos on Tuesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics). 3) Columbine sophomore Korbe Otis fires toward the plate against Arvada West. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics). 4) Arvada West senior Christaana Angelopulos, left, tags out Columbine freshman Emma Todd as she slides into third base. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics).