Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Santa Clara
Rams Lose First Game of National Invitational Softball Tournament
3/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2006
San Jose, Calif. - The Colorado State University softball team (14-5) opened play in the National Invitational Softball Tournament with a 4-2 loss to Santa Clara (8-12) on Saturday evening after two rain delays.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the second inning when junior Stacey Leigh led off with a single. Freshman Renee Welty and sophomore Julia Kloppe both reached on a fielder's choice. Kloppe advanced to second on an error before scoring on junior Brittany Huerta's single to put the first run on the board.
The Rams' second and final run came in the bottom of the third. Senior Tara Harbert reached first base on an error before stealing second base, her 17th stolen base this season. Junior Jessica Strickland hit a double to bring in Harbert, putting the Rams up 2-0.
Santa Clara scored their first run, unearned, in the top of the sixth inning. Senior Liz Courter reached on an error by first baseman Kloppe and scored two plays later to put the Broncos on the board.
The Broncos' offense took over in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs to take the game 4-2. Sophomore Ashley Blier led with a double. Freshman Nori Kamada pinch ran for Blier and scored on a hit by junior Jillian Cassel. Freshman Brittany Pucci pinch ran for senior Kate Goethals who hit a single. Pucci stole second base and Courter singled to bring in the Broncos' final run of the game. Senior Jenny Brown walked and Courter advanced to second. Junior Angela Kabanuck singled to score Courter, the Broncos' final run of the game.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Rams' offense was shut down. Harbert grounded out before Strickland reached on an error. Sophomore Lauren Cusick struck out and Leigh walked. Welty struck out to close the game.
Strickland pitched all seven innings, allowing nine hits and striking out five batters. She is now 6-5 on the season.
The Rams will continue play in the National Invitational Softball Tournament in San Jose, Calif., facing off against California on Saturday at 8 p.m. PT. Sunday, they will play Nevada at 11 a.m. and Sacramento State at 1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday the Rams will play double headers against San Jose State and Pacific, respectively. They will follow with the Capital Classic Softball Tournament in Sacramento, Calif.
