Kiowa County Independent

10/24/2025

ANGELS LOSE A HEARTBREAKER 2-1 IN QUARTERFINALS
By Betsy Barnett

It was a pitcher’s duel in the 3A Colorado State Softball quarterfinals game between #3 Southeast Colorado Angels Anna Wollert and Brush's Elizabeth Peckman. But in the end the Angels dream of playing in a state championship game was dashed in a 2-1 loss to the Beetdiggers.

The Angels were trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th inning with the heart of their order due up. With one out Dixie Bitner beat out a chopper for a base hit and then Kara Wilson followed with a single of her own putting two aboard. Things looked promising for the Angels to stage a comeback in the 3A Colorado State Softball tournament quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon. But the next two batters went down in order and Brush grabbed the nail biting win.

Brush had pushed ahead in a tight contest 2-1 in the top of the seventh inning when the first batter up, G. Martinez, doubled to center field and then came in on a triple by Jolie Tuck bringing Martinez home and the lead to the Beatdiggers.

The Angels outhit Brush nine hits to five, but errors were the difference in this contest. The Angels had 5 in the contest compared to 4 for the Beatdiggers.

Zoe Martinez, Dixie Bitner, and Kara Wilson each went 2-for-4 on the day with Anna Wollert and Kennedy Gyurman each collecting a hit apiece.

Martinez was the lone run for the Angels getting on with a single in the bottom of the third and then scoring on a Kara Wilson single.
Junior pitcher Anna Wollert was strong in the circle giving up five hits and just one earned run, walked three and struck out 11 batters in the loss.

Wollert tallied an amazing 24 strikeouts in the two games at state.

Elizabeth Peckham earned the win, surrendering nine hits and one run over seven innings, striking out four and walking one.

For head coach Tandy Bitner this elimination loss that ended a stellar season was a hard pill to swallow as the Angels will lose five senior starters, the entire infield will be wiped out, including catcher Dixie Bitner, first baseman Lexi Shotton, second baseman Zoe Martinez, third baseman Maddie Wertz, and shortstop Kara Wilson.

PHOTO: Wilson Photography

Coach Tandy Bitner with his seniors after winning a back-to-back regional title on Saturday, October 18. The Angels' seniors include (l to r) Zoe Martinez, Maddie Wertz, Kara Wilson, Lexi Shotton, and Dixie Bitner.

10/24/2025

ANGELS ELIMINATE LA JUNTA 3-1 AND WILL MOVE ON TO QUARTERS AGAINST BRUSH
By Betsy Barnett

The Angels’ ace pitcher Anna Wollert rang up an impressive 13 batters as she carried her Southeast Colorado Angels to the 3A Colorado State Softball tournament quarterfinals in a tight, 3-1 win over Tri-Peaks League foe La Junta. This was the third time this season that Wollert has faced off against the Tigers and got the win. That’s a tall order for a pitcher, but the junior just got stronger as the game progressed.

Wollert would give up 2 hits and no earned runs, walking zero, and fanning 13 Tigers.

It was a pitcher’s duel between Wollert and La Junta’s Isabelle Aragon who allowed four hits and two earned runs, walking four, and struck out six in her six innings of work.

The Angels took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning after freshman Emma Wollert grounded into a fielder’s choice and Savanna Brown singled to center field, each scoring one run. Zoe Martinez was one of those runs whose heads up baserunning on a steal at home electrified the crowd.

The Angels only managed four hits with Kennedy Gyurman going 2-for-3 and scoring one run. Kara Wilson had one hit, as did Brown.

Next up for the Angels will be a date with #6 Brush (18-6) who defeated #11 Delta (16-9) in the first round today by a score of 14-2.

Game time is scheduled today at 2:30 pm.

PHOTO: Wilson Photography

10/24/2025

Legendary Eads coach Gail Crawford will be inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame with the Class of 2026 in April. The Independent congratulates Coach Crawford on this pinnacle recognition for a coach who has committed his life to making a difference in the lives of the youth.

AURORA - The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) is proud to announce the induction of seven remarkable individuals into the CHSAA Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This distinguished group represents a wide range of sports and activities and embodies the Association’s vision of excellen...

10/24/2025

LAMAR DROPS OPENING ROUND HEARTBREAKER AGAINST TCA IN EXTRA INNINGS
By Betsy Barnett

With Lamar ( #8,14-12) trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Thunder got the bases loaded with two outs for their senior leader Khloe Fernandez to come to the plate. The short stop roped a hit down the third base line scoring two runs and giving the Thunder the 3-2 lead.

The Classical Academy ( #9, 19-7) switched the tables with the same move in the top of the fifth loading the bases. Sophomore pitcher Carlin Weber then hit the batter, Taytum Kimbro, bringing in a run that tied the game with two outs, 3-3. Weber then forced a groundout to dodge a bullet getting out of the inning.

TCA challenged again in the top of the seventh inning with the score tied at 3-3 loading up the bases with one out. Kimbro then popped the ball up into the infield and the umpire called an infield fly out but the TCA runner on third base decided to go. Yahirett Roman at second base threw her out for a double play. It was the second time the Thunder had avoided catastrophe.

Lamar then went to the bottom of the seventh with the score tied. Weber came up and drove a single to left field to represent the winning run on first base with one out. A wild pitch to Esquibel moved Weber to second base in scoring position. Esquibel flew out to left field leaving Weber at second with two outs. Eventually, Lamar failed to get Weber any further as they headed into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, an error and a walk allowed TCA to get a crucial run across grabbing the 4-3 lead and putting the pressure on the hitters from Lamar.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Lamar went down in order with two line drives and a strike out ending their season in a heartbreaker.

Lamar’s sophomore ace Carlin Weber took the loss in the circle throwing a complete game of 8 innings and allowed four runs, 2 earned, on seven hits, striking out nine and walking five.

Fernandez and Alexus Campbell each collected two hits for Lamar. Fernandez added 2 runs batted in as she went 2-for-4 in her finale as a senior softball player for Lamar.

Lamar also loses Alexa Aguilar, their exceptional infielder who plays the corners. Aguilar batted .468 this season.

Lamar ends their season at 14-12 and registered a Regional Championship last weekend. They are an extremely young team with a talented pitcher and a number of underclassmen who played key roles for them this season.

PHOTO: Abby Weber
Lamar Thunder boards the bus heading to the 3A Colorado State Softball Tournament in Aurora.

10/24/2025

John has the call on Lamar's trip to Banning-Lewis tonight.

The Lamar Thunder football team (2-1 and 5-2) travels to face Banning Lewis Academy (1-2 and 3-4) in South East League action on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

The Thunder chalked up their second straight victory with a 42-0 road win over the Manitou Springs Mustangs on Friday, Oct. 17.

Lamar exploded for 21 points in the first quarter and 21 points in the second quarter.

The Thunder did most of their damage through the air.

Lamar junior QB Jacob Dunning had one of his best performances of his career as he completed 18-of-24 passes for a career-high 358 yards and fired 4 TD strikes.

Dunning’s performance against Manitou Springs pushed him over 4,000 passing yards for his career.

In two seasons, he currently has completed 298-of-471 passes for 4,290 yards and 28 touchdown passes with 15 interceptions.

Against Manitou Springs, Alex Williams was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Cason Pollart added 4 receptions for 89 yards and 1 touchdown.

On the ground, Lamar had 95 yards on 22 carries.

Adriel Gonzalez had 7 carries for 35 yards and 1 TD and Alex Aguilar had 3 carries for 20 yards and 1 TD.

Braxen Shelton led the defense with 7 tackles and Killian Losa had 6. Pollart, Gonzalez, and Matthew Kimble all had 5 tackles apiece.

In the first quarter, Lamar struck on a 7-yard run by Aguilar; a 42-yard TD pass to Williams; and a 46-yard TD strike to Williams.

In the second quarter, the Thunder hit paydirt on a 78-yard TD pass to Williams; a 1-yard run by Gonzalez, and a 67-yard TD strike to Pollart.

Alex Aguilar was successful on all six extra point kicks.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Lamar High School's Alex Williams was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns against Manitou Springs.

(Photo by John Contreras)

10/24/2025

Today is the day!!
Weisbrod Health and Prairie Pines Assisted Living present…
Trunk or Treat and the Annual Chili Cook off!

10/24/2025

Across the Plains: The Indy Weather Report
Covering Rural Southeast Colorado

Friday, October 24

Highs range from 56 to 63 °F across most counties, with partly to mostly cloudy skies—bright breaks at times, and a stray shower risk mainly near the Kansas line (Kit Carson/Baca). 

A light northeast breeze 5–15 mph holds through the day, trending lighter toward evening. 

Tonight: Mostly cloudy—with patchy fog late in spots near the Kansas border—lows falling into the upper 30s to mid 40s °F. 

A cool, cloud-forward day: a few sprinkles east, otherwise quiet—then gradual improvement over the weekend. 

10/24/2025

FOUND: Battery operated grease gun found 4 miles west of Eads on Thurs. afternoon, Oct. 23rd. Call 719-940-3030.

10/23/2025

Across the Plains: The Indy Weather Report
Covering Rural Southeast Colorado
Thursday, October 23

Highs range from 63 to 71 °F across most counties, with mostly sunny skies shifting to mid‑cloud later in the afternoon.

Winds begin north‑northeast at 10‑15 mph, gusting to around 20 mph, then gradually diminish toward evening.

Tonight: Partly cloudy — lows falling into the upper 30s to low 40s °F.

A dry and breezy day across the plains with no significant precipitation expected—conditions remain stable.

10/22/2025

This Sunday head over to Sheridan Lake Bible Church for their 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off 🎃

Hosted by Harris Pumpkin Patch & Sheridan Lake Bible Church

Get ready for one of the best fall events in Southeast Colorado!
Sunday, October 26 | 2–7 PM

🍬 Trunk or Treat at the Pumpkin Patch: 2–5 PM
🌶️ Chili Cook-Off & Supper at Sheridan Lake Bible Church: 5–7 PM
🎯 Games • Maze • Hayrides • Treats • Food • Fun • Fellowship

Bring the whole family for an afternoon packed with autumn fun, local flavor, and community spirit.
Let’s fill the day with laughter, full bellies, and a few friendly chili rivalries!

📍 Pumpkin Patch Contact: Kim 719-940-0098
📍 Church Contact: Pastor Jim 719-729-3514

Come join the fun — it’s small-town fall done right! 🍁

10/22/2025

The Eads volleyball team grabbed a much-needed High Plains League win over Kit Carson on Monday, Oct. 20 in a 3-0 sweep in set scores of 25-19, 25-11, and 25-23 after dropping a Friday night bout with Stratton (3-0) on Friday night, Oct. 19. Eads has two games left in the regular season traveling to Kim/Branson (2-14) on Thursday, Oct. 30 and then hosting Otis (10-9) on Friday, Oct. 31.

PHOTOS BY: Wilson Photography
Eads vs Stratton - Oct. 19

10/22/2025

The Cheyenne Wells Tigers' Volleyball team is looking to get back on the winning side of the scoreboard as they have dropped their last two contests to quality teams including a 3-0 High Plains League loss to Granada on Oct. 19 and a 3-0 loss to Flagler on Oct. 21. They travel to Springfield tomorrow, Oct. 23 and then to Hanover on Friday, Oct. 24 as the regular season quickly winds down.

PHOTOS BY: Wendy Dickey