Upstart Coyotes can’t close championship versus Cowboys1 min read

By
George Werner
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Shortstop Nikki Zielinski, the leading hitter for the Big Park Community School softball team as an eighth-grader, prepares to deliver a good crack to the softball Friday, April 25, in a home win over Clarkdale-Jerome School. The Coyotes finished 14-3 but could not win the Verde Valley Conference championship on their home field April 30.
Jordan Reece/Larson Newspapers

Although Big Park Community School could not win the Verde Valley Conference tournament championship game on its home field, the Coyotes were the pleasant surprise of the spring under head coach Kirk Westervelt.

Eighth-grader Nikki Zielinski’s bunt single in the first inning April 30, turned out to be the only hit allowed by Camp Verde Middle School ace pitcher Kaycee Williams. The Cowboys eighth grader and tournament MVP — who had been rocked, 17-5, the first time the two teams met March 18 — only allowed one other baserunner, eighth-grader Kelsey Woellmer, in a 16-strikeout, 8-0 shutout of Big Park Community School in six innings.

“I don’t know how we run-ruled that team,” Westervelt said. “You look at both these teams, and 10 times out of 10, I don’t think we could have beaten them.”

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, May 7, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.

George Werner

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