Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Kentucky
Rams Blank Two More at Aztec Invitational
2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 24, 2006
Kentucky Stats Loyola Marymount Stats
The Colorado State University softball team picked up two more wins Friday at the SDSU Aztec Invitational, defeating Kentucky 1-0 and Loyola Marymount 2-0 and picking up their fourth straight shutout of the tournament. With the wins the Rams improved to 11-4 for the season. The Rams have now won 10 of their last 11 games and have matched the 1989 squad for the best starts in school history through 15 games.
The Rams opened the day with a 1-0 win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Junior Brittany Huerta's solo home run in the top of the third inning proved to be all the Rams needed. Colorado State was held to three hits compared to the Wildcats' five, but the Rams defense and pitching did not allow a runner to score.
"We didn't hit the ball as well today," said head coach Mary Yori, "but we scored runs when we needed them."
Freshman Kim Klabough picked up her sixth career victory to put her at 6-0 for the season. She allowed five hits and struck out six batters.
The Rams notched their second victory of the day against Loyola Marymount by a final score of 2-0. Colorado State jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Senior Tara Harbert reached on a bunt single and then stole second base. Junior Jessica Strickland singled and sophomore Lauren Cusick hit a single to score Harbert to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage.
Colorado State didn't score again until the third inning where Cusick opened with a walk. Sophomore Julia Kloppe singled with one out and Kloppe advanced to second on the throw before Senior Katie Dean hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Cusick and put the Rams on top 2-0.
Strickland picked up her 28th career victory, pitching all seven innings and allowing only two hits while striking out four. Strickland is now 5-4 on the season.
The four consecutive shutouts by the Rams also matched the 1986 and 1989 teams for second all-time. The 1992 team shut out six straight opponents.
"Our pitchers have pitched extremely well to get four consecutive shutouts," added Yori. "That reflects on both Jess (Strickland) and Kim (Klabough).
The Rams will close out the SDSU Aztec Invitational with a final game Saturday against Indiana State in which the Rams hope to continue their streak and move one step closer to the 1992 squad.
