Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Sweep Defending Champions
4/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Fort Collins, Colo. - The Colorado State softball team took two games from the defending Mountain West Conference champions in a double-header Friday afternoon at Ram Field. The Rams defeated the Utes 5-0 in the first game, followed by a 9-7 sixth inning come-from-behind win to complete the sweep. With the two wins the Rams improve to 24-9 overall and 5-3 in league action. The Utes fall to 11-19 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
In the first game, junior Megan Masser pitched a complete game shutout, striking out eight Utes and allowing only one hit, a double to Utah senior Niki Hayhurst in the top of the fourth inning.
Colorado State recorded 13 hits, a team record against a conference opponent and the second highest hit total this season. Five Rams recorded at least two hits in the game including sophomore Steph Roberts who was 2-for-3 from the plate with one run scored and a walk, senior Jennifer Mahoney who was 3-for-4 with a run scored, and freshman Genevieve Kelly who was 2-for-3 and crossed the plate twice for the Rams.
In the second game, the Rams found themselves down early after Utah recorded six runs on four hits in the top of the third inning. Freshman starting pitcher JayCee Wood left the game in the third inning after giving up four runs on three hits. Kelly came on in relief, giving up the final two runs of the inning. She earned the win moving her to 6-3 on the season after giving up three runs on six hits and striking out one in the game.
In the bottom of the sixth Colorado State rallied, scoring seven runs on seven hits including two base clearing doubles by freshman Melanie Laffoon, who was pinch-hitting for freshman Jennifer Gardner, and Walker. She finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate and started the Rams? rally with a lead-off single to center.
Masser earned her sixth save of the season after forcing the Utes into three fly-outs in the top of the seventh inning.
The 26 combined hits in the two games is the most for Colorado State during a double-header this year. Earlier this season they combined for 25 hits against Northern Colorado.
Colorado State will face BYU (26-9, 4-2 MWC) tomorrow in a double-header beginning at noon. BYU comes to Fort Collins ranked second in the Mountain West Conference.
