Cavegirl Softball Shoots for 1000th Win

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High School sports fans are about to be treated to one of the most monumental games ever to be played at CHS.

The Cavegirl softball team, already iconic in stature, will go for an unprecedented 1,000th victory against the Roswell Coyotes on Friday, April 17, in Carlsbad.

A scheduled District 4/5A twin-bill, game times are set to get underway at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Cavegirl Park.

Roswell will enter the contest at 4-12 on the year and, following 9-0 and 10-3 losses to Hobbs, are 0-2 in District 4/5A play.

The Cavegirls will take the field at 7-9. In conference play, having upended the Clovis Wildcats 18-0 and 21-2, they’re off to a 2-0 start.

The Cavegirls March to 1000 Wins

Cavegirl softball is on the verge of an amazing accomplishment. With 999 wins safely tucked under their belts and an overall record of 999-225, the Cavegirls will host the Roswell Coyotes on Friday, April 17, with hopes of reaching the 1000 wins mark.

The following are some of the highlights that have brought the Cavegirl softball program to this historic milestone:

Cavegirl softball started in 1973 under Head Coach May Morris, who led the Cavegirls until 1976. In her three seasons (there was no season in 1975, as softball switched from a spring to a fall sport), she posted a 19-0 record and secured the first state title for the Cavegirls in 1976. During earlier years, 1973 and 1974, softball had only an “area tournament.”

Mays assistant coach Nancy Cotner took over the reins in 1977 and secured the second state title for the Cavegirls. Coach Cotner finished her career as head coach in 1979 with a 9-5 record.

The early years of Cavegirl softball had no regular schedule. As a result, they only played in the state tournament. The only years they played four-game seasons were 1976 and 1979, until 1980, when they upped it to 11.

Coach John Tigert took over as head coach in 1980, beginning his three stints leading the Cavegirls and making an unprecedented contribution to this program. He retired as head coach in 1999.

Tigert’s resume:

From 1980 to 1999, he built a record of 405-58 with 11 state titles. He gathered those titles in 1980,1982,1983,1985,1987,1988,1990,1991,1992,1993, and 1996. He also led his charges to three undefeated seasons in 1982,1991, and 1996. During the seasons of 2006 to 2009, his teams went 91-26. From 2016 to 2021, his record was 98-40.

Coach Larry Trower led the Cavegirls to a 48-2 record and one state title in 2001. He coached in 2000 and 2001.

Coach Shawn Standard took over after Coach Trower and led the Cavegirls to a 79-28 record from 2002 to 2005, winning a state title in his first year as head coach in 2002.

Coach George Frederick led the Cavegirls from 2010 to 2013. His overall record was 100-18, and in 2010, his first year as head coach, he won a state championship.

Coach Bobby Howard headed the program from 2014 to 2015. His record was 44-16.

Current Head Coach Brian Santo took over Cavegirl head coaching duties in 2022, after serving as an assistant coach under Coaches Howard and Tigert from 2014 to 2021. His current record is 106-32 with state titles in 2022 and 2023.

Prepared by CHS Softball Program

Supported by archived Carlsbad Current-Argus articles.