Softball Preview - UNC, San Diego State and UNLV

Leading Off: Colorado State (19-11) is set to take on Northern Colorado in Greeley. The double header with the Bears is slated to begin at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 at UNC Softball Field. Then the Rams begin their longest home stretch of the season, with a conference home-opening double header against the San Deigo State Aztecs on Friday, April 1 beginning at 1 p.m, followed by a twin bill with the UNLV Rebels set for 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 3.

Wrapping-up Spartan Classic: At the Spartan Classic in San Jose, Calif., the Rams posted a record of 3-1 and outscored their opponents 21-3. The Rams began the weekend with wins over St. Francis College (8-0) and Dartmouth (7-1) on Friday. Saturday?s games were cancelled because of rain, but were rescheduled in for Sunday, in favor of the bracket play. On Sunday the Rams fell to host San Jose State (0-2), but bounced back to defeat St. Mary?s (6-0).

Home Openers: Under Head Coach Mary Yori, Colorado State is 2-2 in home-openers, including two straight wins in Ram Field debuts. In 2001, the Rams fell to Nebraska 4-1, and dropped a 2-0 decision to UNLV in 2002. In 2003, the Rams shut out Utah, 5-0 and defeated Northern Colorado 8-2 last season.

All-Time Results: Northern Colorado holds an all-time 33-5 all-time advantage over the Rams. However, Colorado State has won the last four meetings between the two teams, including a sweep last season. The Rams are 22-26 in school history against San Diego State. In 2004, the Aztecs took the season series from the Rams 3-1, but the Rams finished ahead of the Aztecs to claim the MWC Championship. The Rams hold a 20-15 series lead all-time against UNLV, including a four-game sweep last season.

Golden Gloves: Heading into the first week of conference play, the Rams lead the Mountain West with a .969 fielding percentage. It also marks the third consecutive season in which the Rams have ranked first in the conference in fielding percentage. In 2003 and 2004, the Rams set and re-set the conference record with .975 and .976 fielding percentages, respectively.

Ram Tough: Jessica Strickland?s streak of consecutive at bats without a strikeout came to an end on March 18 against St. Francis at 65 at bats. Strickland?s streak extended to the first weekend of the season against Cal Poly on Feb. 14. With 90 at bats and only five strikeouts on the season, Strickland has an at bat-to-strikeout ratio of 18 to 1.

In Like a Lion: The Rams currently hold a record of 45-35 all-time in March under Head Coach Mary Yori. However, excluding 2001, Yori?s first season, when the team went 1-18 in March, the Rams are 44-17 over the past three seasons.

Walk This Way: Senior 2B Stephanie Roberts has already been walked 16 times this season, which leads the team. Roberts set the school record with 26 base on balls a year ago, and needs just three more walks to tie the CSU career record of 77 walks held by Holly Schmillen (1998-2001).

Sophomore Slump?: Through 30 games, sophomore Jessica Strickland has already matched her run total from her freshman season and currently leads the team with a .422 batting average. She also ranks first on the team with 15 doubles, nearly three times the next tally on the team. Strickland is currently on pace to hit 28 doubles and break the record of 19 held by Sarah Fredstrom (1997). Brittany Huerta has also improved in her sophomore campaign, improving her batting average from a .333 to .369 and her on-base percentage from .364 to .406.

Robert?s Runs: Stephanie Roberts now ranks third on the all-time charts at CSU with 139 career runs, almost double the next highest total on the team held by senior Brittany Burtner (71). Roberts is seven runs away from moving into second on CSU career charts.

Dean?s List: Junior outfielder Katie Dean has improved her batting average every season, and eclipsed the .300 mark the first time in her career with a .317 batting average in 2005. In 2003 and 2004, Dean hit .229 and .281, respectively.

Outscoring The Opposition: During the Spartan Classic, the Rams outscored their opponents by a 21-3 margin. On the season, the Rams have outscored opponents 137-97.

Freshman Firsts: Freshman Lauren Cusick hit her first career home run in the Rams 15-3 victory over Rhode Island. Cusick finished the game 2-for-4 with a career-high three RBI.

Team Totals: Through 30 games this season, the Rams are on pace for 255 runs scored and 460 hits. Both would rank third on the team single-season charts behind the 1997 and 2004 squads.

Finishing Strong: Though 30 games this season, Colorado State is outscoring its opponents 16-1 in the seventh inning, and 36-10 in the final two frames. The Rams are 14-0 this season when leading after six innings.

We?re Going Streaking: Brittany Huerta is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, the longest of her career. Junior Jennifer Gardner also tallied a career-high hitting streak of 10 games earlier this season.

Making The Most of Her At Bats: Jessica Strickland is taking advantage of every at bat this season. The sophomore has 38 hits in 30 games, with 19 hits going for extra bases. She now has 15 doubles on the season -- which leads the Mountain West Conference. She is on pace to break the single-season record of 19 held by Sarah Fredstrom (1997).

Fast Start: This season, the Rams are 9-1 when scoring in the first inning.

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