|
|
|
Rams Softball Splits on First Day of Hotel Encanto del Las Cruces Invitational Colorado State was able to get an early win before dropping the second game.
Feb. 9, 2007
The Colorado State softball team opened the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces Invitational today in Las Cruces, N.M. with an even 1-1 record. The Rams grabbed an early 6-3 win over Sam Houston State before dropping a 6-3 decision to North Texas. The Rams fall to 1-2 to start the season, but are 1-1 in the tournament. Head Coach Mary Yori commented, "Despite the loss and a 1-2 start, I was pleased with the strong pitching of our two returners. That's a positive that I think will play a role this weekend and give us some good games." The Rams got off to a slow start in the first game, unable to score their first run until the top of the fourth inning when senior Jessica Strickland scored on an error by Sam Houston State's Casie Everitt. Colorado State scored again in the fifth when the duo of Rams' juniors led off. Julia Kloppe doubled to left center before Lauren Cusick hit a single to score freshman Sarah Sullivan, who pinch ran for Kloppe, and put the Rams up 2-0. The Rams' offense exploded in the sixth inning, notching four runs to increase their lead to 6-0. Senior Brittany Huerta led with a double before freshman Robyn Mask hit the first home run of her career. Kloppe followed with a single before Cusick doubled to right center. Freshman Rebecca Penland, pinch running for Kloppe, scored on a single by freshman Kayla Kreutzman. Strickland ended the scoring with a double that brought home Cusick.
Sam Houston State tried to rebound in the bottom of the sixth with three runs, but fell short, giving the Rams their first victory of the season. Cusick tallied a 3-for-4 game with one RBI and one run scored, while Mask also finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Strickland was 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored and picked up the win for the Rams at pitcher. She pitched 6.2 innings and allowed zero runs while striking out six batters. Penland faced six batters and allowed the final three runs of the game. North Texas took an early 1-0 lead in the second game when junior Katya Muller led with a walk. She advanced on a wild pitch before Kadie Platt singled. The next two batters walked to score Muller. Colorado State rebounded, notching two runs in the bottom of the first. Kreutzman led with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Ashley Munoz walked before senior Stacey Leigh doubled to left center to score Kreutzman and Munoz and put the Rams up 2-1. The Mean Green answered with four runs in the second. Angie Palacios and Muller led with singles before Platt doubled to score Palacios. Susan Waters reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second. Kristina Fowler doubled to score Platt and Waters before a single by Christen Jones scored Fowler and give North Texas a 5-2 lead. Both teams were able to score one additional run in the game. North Texas earned it's on a home run by Waters in the fourth while Colorado State got it's from Leigh in the bottom of the sixth. It wasn't enough, however, and the Rams fell to the Mean Green 6-3. Leigh led the Rams in the second game, going 2-for-3 from the plate with two RBI and one run scored. Kreutzman had a 2-for-4 day with one run scored. Transfer Cayte Billman picked up the loss for the Rams, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing five runs and striking out three batters. Klabough entered the game in relief of Billman and pitched 5.1 innings while allowing one run and striking out three. Colorado State will continue play tomorrow in the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M. They face New Mexico State at 12:30 p.m., followed by a later matchup to be determined after seeds are picked. |
|
