Colorado State University Athletics
Softball Preview - BYU
4/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Leading Off: Colorado State (29-16, 8-4 MWC) will play in its final homestand of the season, hosting the BYU Cougars (36-11, 12-2 MWC) on Friday and Saturday, respectively at Ram Field. The Rams will square off with the conference-leading Cougars at 12 p.m. MT on Saturday. The Rams currently sit third in the Mountain West, three games behind BYU.
Wrapping-up New Mexico: The Rams completed the season sweep of the New Mexico Lobos last weekend, as the team picked up a 5-0 win in game one and a 5-2 decision in game two. Senior 2B Stephanie Roberts hit .714 (5-for-7) in the two games to lead the way for the Rams. The senior also added to the Rams? conference-leading doubles total, with one in each game, while scoring four times, and tying her own CSU single-season walks record with her 26th free pass of the season. Sophomore P Jessica Strickland picked up the win in the Rams game-one shutout victory over the Lobos, and improved to 11-6 on the season, tying her career best for wins in season, set as a freshman in 2004. Strickland also picked up her ninth career save in game two and is now only one shy of tying Megan Masser?s career record at CSU. The Rams have now won 14 straight games against New Mexico and are 17-4 against the Lobos under head coach Mary Yori.
Let It Snow, Let It Snow: Due to inclement weather on Thursday in Fort Collins, the Colorado State softball team?s doubleheader against Utah on Friday, April 29 has been cancelled. The contests will not be made up at a later date. The Rams are still scheduled to play BYU on Saturday at noon.
250 And Counting: Colorado State Head Coach Mary Yori led the team in her 250th career game at Colorado State last weekend at New Mexico, as the Rams swept the Lobos, 5-0 and 5-2. Yori has compiled a record of 135-115 (.540) since arriving in Fort Collins in 2000. She now ranks second in CSU history in games coached and wins behind Candi Letts who posted a record of 160-106-1 at the helm from 1994-1998.
Approaching The Century Mark: Senior C Kerry Farrell is only four RBI shy of reaching 100 for her career at Colorado State and is only 10 away from breaking into the top-five all-time. Farrell, who earned First Team Easton All-American honors in 2004, more than doubled her carer RBI output as a junior, knocking in 38 runs, compared with 16 as a sophomore and 14 as a freshman. So far this season, Farrell ranks second on the team with 28 RBI.
Approaching the Century Mark, Part 2: Junior Jennifer Gardner and sophomore Brittany Huerta are both one hit shy of reaching 100 for her career.
Nationally Ranked Rams: As a team, Colorado State softball ranks nationally in three categories. The Rams rank fifth in the nation, averaging 1.67 doubles per game, led by sophomore Jessica Strickland, who ranks second nationally in that category (0.43). The Rams also rank 15th with a .315 batting average, and rank 25th with a fielding percentage of 0.970.
The Rams BYU: Against the BYU Cougars, the Rams hold a slim advantage all-time at 12-11. The Rams dropped two games earlier this season to the Cougars in Provo by scores of 5-6 and 3-4.
Walk This Way: Senior 2B Stephanie Roberts tied her own single-season record at Colorado State University, earning her 26th walk of the season against New Mexico on April 23. Roberts, who set the record in 2004 also ranks first on the career charts with 84 career walks.
7?s 11th: Sophomore P Jessica Strickland tied her career high for wins, picking up her 11th of the season in the Rams? game-one shut out victory over New Mexico on April 23.
I Don?t Think It Has The Distance: Sophomore P Jessica Strickland is the only pitcher in the Mountain West Conference not to allow a home run in conference play. As a staff, the Rams are tied with BYU, having allowed only four home runs in league play.
Cusick In Conference: In her first season with the Rams, freshman Lauren Cusick has hit her stride in Mountain West Conference play. Through 12 conference games, Cusick ranks first on the team in conference batting average (.462), slugging percentage (.846) and total bases (22). She is also tied for the team lead with two home runs, four doubles, nine RBI in league play. In two games against BYU this season, Cusick is hitting .500 (3-for-6), and is slugging above 1.000, posting a 1.167 mark. Cusick?s batting average and slugging percentage rank first in the MWC in league play. She also ranks second in on-base percentage and doubles.
We?re Going Streaking: Four players, Brittany Huerta, Jessica Strickland, Julia Kloppe and Lauren Cusick are all riding hitting streaks of at least five games. Huerta is currently sitting on nine, one shy of her second double-digit hitting streak of the season. Strickland ranks second with an eight game hitting streak, and Kloppe and Cusick each have hit safely in their last five games.
Approaching 30 Wins: Colorado State is just one win away from it?s 30th of the season. The Rams have reached the 30-win plateau seven other times in school history. This season will mark the third-straight season under head coach Mary Yori.