Alexys Vidunas and a group of four other seniors have brought energy to the Durango Demons' softball team for four seasons. “The seniors are all all-stars for us,” DHS first-year head coach Chelsea Rodriguez said. “I know I can turn to any of them at any given time. They give us energy and clutch plays when we need it, and they've gone above and beyond everything I've expected.”

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

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Alexys Vidunas and a group of four other seniors have brought energy to the Durango Demons' softball team for four seasons. “The seniors are all all-stars for us,” DHS first-year head coach Chelsea Rodriguez said. “I know I can turn to any of them at any given time. They give us energy and clutch plays when we need it, and they've gone above and beyond everything I've expected.”

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

Paige Mazur swings a strong bat and holds down the middle of the infield for the Durango Demons’ softball team. The DHS senior was honored Saturday along with her five fellow seniors on senior day Saturday at Aspen Field.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

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Paige Mazur swings a strong bat and holds down the middle of the infield for the Durango Demons’ softball team. The DHS senior was honored Saturday along with her five fellow seniors on senior day Saturday at Aspen Field.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

Katelyn DeLuche nearly hit a homer Saturday, but she had to settle for a double after a big hit bounced off the top of the fence and stayed in the field of play. After the game, she was honored alongside five of her fellow seniors on senior day Saturday at Aspen Field.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

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Katelyn DeLuche nearly hit a homer Saturday, but she had to settle for a double after a big hit bounced off the top of the fence and stayed in the field of play. After the game, she was honored alongside five of her fellow seniors on senior day Saturday at Aspen Field.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald

Saying goodbye to Aspen Field was 'bittersweet' for the Durango High School softball team.

The DHS Demons (6-8, 0-5 Southwestern League) lost both games of a doubleheader to Grand Junction Central (15-3, 6-0 SWL) on Saturday at Aspen Field, their softball home on the Fort Lewis College campus.

The Demons lost the first game 14-3, then dropped the second game 15-1.

“Central is a good team, a high-caliber softball team, and we knew it would be tough,” DHS first-year head coach Chelsea Rodriguez said. “We came in hoping to do our best. Really, they just hit the ball more than we did.”

Rodriguez said there were few mistakes made defensively by the Demons. Augusta Brockus and Alxys Vidunas, two seniors, earned the two starts inside the pitcher's circle for DHS.

It was senior day for the Demons. A group of five seniors were honored: Brockus, Katelyn DeLuche, Alejandrea France, Paige Mazur and Vidunas.

“I love every one of the girls. All the seniors have been so supportive of each other and others these four years,” said Brockus, daughter of Don and Jackie Brockus. “We work hard, and we have the best work ethic I've ever seen on a team. I'm going to miss them and the energy we generated together.

“It was bittersweet leaving the field after the second game. I'm happy I'm a senior and all the girls are going places, but it is sad having your last home game.”

The seniors saw three coaching changes during their four years at DHS.

“I've loved coach Chelsea and her positive energy,” Brockus said of this year's coach. “I wish I could've played for her all four years.”

Rodriguez said the five seniors made her adjustment from college player at FLC to head coach at DHS as smooth as it could be.

“The seniors are all all-stars for us,” Rodriguez said. “I know I can turn to any of them at any given time. They give us energy and clutch plays when we need it, and they've gone above and beyond everything I've expected. I'm sad this is the only year I can coach them, because they all have a lot of talent and are such great girls.”

Durango will close out its season with seven road games, which will start with a doubleheader Friday at Fruita Monument and a doubleheader Saturday at Montrose before one final game Sept. 30 at Montezuma-Cortez.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com