Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
BYU
Rams Swept In Conference Slugfest
4/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2006
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
The Colorado State University softball team (22-16, 3-7 MWC) fell in both home games of a conference double header with the BYU Cougars (28-14, 8-2 MWC) on Saturday at Ram Field. The Rams fell by a final of 14-10 in game one, followed by a 16-13 loss in game two.
In game one, the Cougars bats' started on fire, as BYU scored nine runs in the first three innings of the game. After allowing five BYU runs in the first two innings, the Rams tied the game at five in the bottom of the second, thanks in part to a two-run homer by sophomore Lauren Cusick.
BYU regained the lead with four runs in the top of the third. The Rams cut the lead to 9-6 with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Cougars answered with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Senior Tara Harbert recorded her first career home run, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth to pull the Rams to within 12-8. However, BYU pushed its lead to 14-8 in the top of the seventh, and the Rams rally fell short, despite a two-run homer by Kim Klabough in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Harbert led the way for the Rams with a 3-for-5 performance from the plate. She also scored three runs in the game. Seniors Katie Dean and Jennifer Gardner also recorded multiple hits for the Rams, posting 2-for-4 and 3-for-4 days, respectively. Both Dean and Gardner scored twice in game one.
Junior Jessica Strickland received the loss for the Rams, falling to 9-11 on the season. She pitched 2.2 innings and allowed 11 runs, nine earned, while walking three and striking out three.
In the second game, both teams continued to swing hot bats. BYU jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, and pushed the lead to 8-0 in the top of the second before the Rams' offense woke up.
Colorado State answered with four runs in the bottom of the second inning, and took the lead, 11-8 with a seven run inning in the bottom of the third that featured a three-run inside-the-park homer by Harbert.
BYU cut the lead to just one run, 11-10 with two runs in the top of the fourth and regained the lead for good with four runs in the top of the sixth. The Rams added two in the bottom of the sixth, on a two-run home run by Strickland. It was not enough, as BYU added two more in the top of the seventh to close the game 16-13.
Freshman Kim Klabough picked up the loss for the Rams, dropping to 12-5 this season. She allowed four runs on three hits. Freshman Erica Skeels started the game for the Rams, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing five hits, eight runs and recording the first four outs of the game on strikeouts. Junior Jessica Strickland pitched 5 innings in relief, allowing five hits, four runs and striking oiut three batters. She left the game with the Rams ahead 11-10, but earned a no decision.
In total, 12 home runs were hit in the two games. BYU recorded six, four in game one and two in game two. The Rams notched three longballs in game one and three in game two.
The Rams will continue Mountain West Conference play on their home field with a double header against San Diego State on April 21 at 1 p.m MT. They will follow with a double header against UNLV on April 23 at 12 p.m. MT.
