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Rams softball Splits On First Day Of Hilton Las Cruces Classic Jessica Strickland recorded a career-high tying five RBI in win over Utah.
Feb. 10, 2006
After a loss late Thursday afternoon to New Mexico State, the Ram's softball squad responded with a 7-3 win against Utah Friday morning to open play at the Hilton Las Cruces Classic. The Ram's luck, however, did not hold out as they dropped game two of the tournament to the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners by a final of 12-2 in five innings. In the victory over Utah, the Rams took control early, scoring all seven runs in the first two innings. Junior Jessica Strickland and freshman Kim Klabough combined for three home runs against the Utes. Strickland finished the game 3-for-4 from the plate and recorded a career-high tying five RBI. Klabough won the first game of her career, pitching all seven innings. She allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three Utes. In the first inning, senior Tara Harbert led off with a walk and stole second base, her first steal of the season. Freshman Renee Welty singled to centerfield to score Harbert and give the Rams a 1-0 lead. Strickland then homered to left field to put the Rams up 3-0. In the second inning, Klabough led off with a home run to right center, the first of her college career. Junior Brittany Huerta singled with two outs and Welty reached on a walk before Strickland notched her second home run of the morning, a three run shot to left field. The Utes made a comeback in the third inning, scoring three runs on two home runs, but it was not enough as Klabough allowed only two hits in the remainder of the game.
In the Rams' afternoon game against UTSA, the Roadrunners scored early and often, battering the Rams' pitching tandem of Strickland and Klabough to the tune of five home runs en route to a 12-2 victory over the Rams. It was the Rams' third straight loss to UTSA in as many seasons. Texas-San Antonio's Mel Torres knocked her first of two long balls in the first inning to put the Rams down 1-0 early. Colorado State tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second inning when Klabough doubled in sophomore Lauren Cusick with two outs. A two-run home run by Brittany Cantu broke the tie and put UTSA on top for good. The Roadrunners added seven runs in the third inning on the second home runs of the game by both Torres and Cantu. Cantu's third home run of the contest plated two more in the fourth inning, giving her seven RBI and three runs scored in a 3-for-3 day from the plate. Torres accounted for four RBI and two runs, hitting 2-for-3 in the game. The Rams were able to add a second run in the fifth inning. Freshman Shannon Causgrove led off the inning with a double to center field and advanced to third on a Harbert single to the pitcher. Strickland then singled to left field to score Causgrove. A walk by Welty loaded the bases for Brittany Huerta, but she went down swinging to end the game. Strickland falls to 0-2 on the season with the loss. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits, walking three batters and striking out two. Klabough allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two batters in relief. Colorado State plays three more games in the Hilton Las Cruces Classic this weekend. The Rams face Ohio State at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and wrap up the tournament with two games on Sunday. Colorado State plays Portland State at 9 a.m. and then will have a chance to avenge Thursday's loss against New Mexico State at 11:30 a.m. |
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