Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Indiana State
Rams Sweep Aztec Invitational, Bring Home Tournament Championship
2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 25, 2006
San Diego, Calif. - The Colorado State University softball team swept the SDSU Aztec Invitational, defeating Indiana State 8-1 on the final day, improving to 5-0 in the tournament. "It's very good to come home witlh a tournament championship." said head coach Mary Yori. With the win the Rams improved to 12-4 for the season. "We are excited about where we are right now." she added.
The Rams have now won 11 of their last 12 games and have matched the 1989 squad for the best start in school history through 16 games.
Early errors by the Rams in the second inning allowed the Sycamores to jump to a 1-0 lead with an unearned run. That would be the only run the Ram defense would surrender.
Senior Rachelle Padeway started the bottom of the third inning with her first at bat of the season drawing a walk followed by senior transfer Tara Harbert's single. Junior Jessica Strickland hit a double to center field to score Padeway and Harbert and put the Rams up 2-1. Sophomore Lauren Cusick hit a single to advance Strickland to third. Sophomore Julia Kloppe singled to score Strickland and Cusick. Up 4-1, junior Stacey Leigh and senior Katie Dean both singled. Senior Jennifer Gardner singled to right field to bring Kloppe home. Leigh scored on Padeway's single to finish the inning with a 6-1 advantage.
The Rams didn't score another run until the fifth inning when Leigh opened with a walk, but was called out a second base as freshman Jamie Wong reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on an error. Freshman Jenna Wisely drew a one-out walk and Padeway singled to center to score Wong. Harbert reached on a fielder's choice before Strickland singled. Cusick was hit by a pitch to score Padeway and close the inning up 8-1.
Freshman MaryBeth Culp picked up her first complete victory to put her at 1-0 to start her career as a Ram. She allowed seven hits and struck out six batters and did not give up a walk.
The Rams will have home field advantage for the first time this season when they host Utah State. The Rams and Aggies will meet twice on Saturday because Wisconsin-Green Bay will not be making the trip to Fort Collins No games will be played on Sunday as originally scheduled. Game one of the Utah State double header is slated to begin at 11 a.m.
