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Rams Softball Takes Two From Lobos
Colorado State sweeps New Mexico.
April 9, 2005 Fort Collins, COLO. - The Colorado State softball team (25-13, 4-2 MWC) picked up two more conference wins on Saturday, sweeping the New Mexico Lobos (13-20, 3-3 MWC) at Ram Field. The Rams won game one in exciting fashion by a final of 5-4 in nine innings and then defeated the Lobos 4-1 in game two. In game one, New Mexico struck first in the third inning on an RBI double to centerfield. The Rams responded with one run in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Brittany Huerta doubled with two outs in the fourth inning and scored on an RBI single up the middle by freshman Julia Kloppe. After a pitching change by the Lobos to start the fifth inning, junior Genevieve Kelly doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a fielder's choice single off the bat of junior Katie Dean. After a walk to senior Stephanie Roberts, junior Jennifer Gardner singled to the pitcher to score Kelly from third base. Roberts' walk, the 78th of her career, set a new career record at Colorado State, surpassing Holly Schmillen (1998-2001). New Mexico battled back to tie the game at two in the top of the sixth, and held the Rams scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to bring the game into the final frame tied 2-2. The Lobos took a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh. After a leadoff walk and a bunt single, the runners advanced on a ground out to second base, and the Rams loaded the bases with an intentional walk to junior Cassie Chavez. The next batter, junior Kristina Schmallen picked up two RBI with a double through the left side to give the Lobos a 4-2 lead. The Rams battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, Roberts picked up her second walk of the game and advanced to second when Gardner was hit by a pitch. A passed ball by New Mexico's catcher, Liz Young, allowed Roberts and Gardner to advance, putting the tying run in scoring position. Sophomore Jessica Strickland knocked in Roberts with a sacrifice fly, and Farrell singled through the left side to score junior Rachelle Padeway, who entered as a pinch runner, to send the game into extra innings. After a scoreless eighth inning, Farrell played hero once again, doubling in Gardner who led off the ninth inning with a single, to give the Rams a 5-4 victory. Farrell finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBI. Strickland improved to 10-6 on the season with her team-leading 10th complete game of the season. She allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out seven Lobos, while setting a new career-high for innings pitched with nine. In game two, the Rams jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with the help of two New Mexico errors in the first inning and never looked back. Roberts led off the game, advancing to second on an error by the shortstop, and scored on a throwing error by the by the third baseman on a sacrifice bunt single by Gardner. Strickland then knocked her fourth home run of the season, tying Roberts for the team lead, and picking up two RBI to give the Rams a 3-0 advantage. The Rams added a fourth run in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by junior DP Melanie Laffoon, scoring Farrell from third base. A home run by Chavez to lead off the seventh inning cut the Rams lead to 4-1, but a ground ball and two pop ups gave the Rams the 4-1 win and the sweep. Junior Genevieve Kelly held the Lobos scoreless for the first six innings of play and held on to a no-hitter going into the fifth inning. She finished the game allowing one run on four hits and striking out four batters and improved to 11-5 on the season. Colorado State heads out on the road next week. The Rams will face Utah
State on April 14, followed by the first conference road doubleheaders
of the season for the Rams at BYU and Utah on April 15 and 16,
repsectively.
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