Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Jacksonville
Klabough Pitches Perfect Game; Gets Two Wins in Capital Classic
3/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 18, 2006
Columbia Stats Jacksonville Stats
Kim Klabough pitched a perfect game, one of two wins for the freshman hurler, to lift the Colorado State softball squad to two victories on the second day of the Capital Classic Softball Tournament in Sacramento, Calif. The Rams (18-9) defeated Columbia 4-3 and Jacksonville 3-0.
The Rams used a seventh inning rally to defeat Columbia in the first game of the day. Columbia posted three runs in the first two innings and held the Rams scoreless until the final frame.
The Rams' offense rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring four runs, including three solo home runs. Junior Brittany Huerta led off with a home run to center field. Sophomore Julia Kloppe pinch hit for senior Jennifer Gardner and recorded her first home run of the season. Two plays later junior Jessica Strickland hit another homer to give the Rams their 30th home run this season and tie the game 3-3. Sophomore Lauren Cusick scored the winning run for the Rams. She drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a single by Klabough, before scoring the winning run on a passed ball.
Klabough picked up her 10th win this season, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing only one hit while striking out five batters in relief of Strickland who started the game and pitched 2.1 innings.
In the second game of the day the Rams dominated, posting a shutout against the Jacksonville Dolphins behind a stellar itching performance by Klabough. Senior Tara Harbert and junior Jessica Strickland started the game with two singles to center field. Sophomore Lauren Cusick and junior Stacey Leigh hit two sacrifice bunts to advance Strickland and score Harbert, giving the Rams an early 1-0 lead.
After hitting a double to center field to open the second inning, freshman Renee Welty scored on a single from Huerta. Huerta recorded her first stolen base this season when she stole second base a play later.
The Rams scored their final run in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior Katie Dean led off with a walk. Harbert hit a sacrifice bunt and Cusick singled to left field to score Dean and end the scoring with the Rams up 3-0.
Klabough pitched the first perfect game of her career and the first in Colorado State history since 2003. In her complete-game victory, she allowed no hits, no walks and struck out a career-high 12 batters.
The Rams close the Capital Classic Softball Tournament with a game against Southern Utah on Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.
