Colorado State University Athletics
Softball Preview: UNLV and San Diego State
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 5, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Leading Off: The Rams conclude their conference-opening road trip with double headers against Mountain West Conference foes UNLV and San Diego State on April 7 at 5 p.m. PT and April 9 at 12 p.m. PT, respectively. The Rams are tied with the Rebels at 20 wins each in the all-time series records. They are 14-13 since 2000. The Aztecs hold a 29-24 all-time advantage over the Rams. The Rams last win against the Aztecs came on April 1, 2005.
New Mexico Wrap-up: The Rams swept the double header against the Lobos last weekend in Albuquerque by final scores of 12-7 and 9-3. This marks the second-straight season Colorado State has opened conference play with a 2-0 record. In game one, the Rams scored runs in every inning but the first en route to tie the season-high of 12 runs scored. Sophomore Julia Kloppe hit a home run to open the second inning to put the Rams up 2-0. Sophomore Lauren Cusick led the Rams, hitting 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBI in game one. Junior Jessica Strickland picked up the win, pitching three innings in relief of freshman Kim Klabough. In the second game, the Rams got a strong performance from junior catcher Stacey Leigh who was 3-for-3 from the plate. She recorded four RBI and two homers to move into second on the team this season with seven. Strickland started game two and picked up the win to improve to 9-7 on the season.
Over the Edge: The Rams' victories over the Lobos pushed the school record to 601-600-1. This marks the first time in program history that Colorado State has had more wins than losses in the all-time record books. Leigh's Long Balls: Junior Stacey Leigh's two home runs last weekend against New Mexico pushed her season and career total to seven. Leigh entered the season with no home runs at Colorado State. Leigh ranks second on the team this season behind junior Jessica Strickland's eight home runs and also tied with senior Katie Dean in walks with 17.
Yori In Conference Openers: Head coach Mary Yori and the Rams improved to 3-4 in Mountain West Conference openers dating back to the 2000 season. Colorado State has played New Mexico in three of the seven conference openers. In 2002 the Rams defeated the Lobos in Albuquerque but fell to the New Mexico on the road in 2000.
Junior Power: Juniors Jessica Strickland, Stacey Leigh and Brittany Huerta have provided hitting power for the Rams this season. They are ranked first, second and ninth on the team in batting average and first, second and fourth in slugging percentage. They are also first, second and fourth in RBI and account for 20 of the team's 34 home runs with eight, seven and five, respectively.
Conference Leaders: The Rams lead the Mountain West in a variety of categories including slugging percentage (.506), home runs (34), stolen bases (30), fielding percentage (.971) and wins (21). They are also tied with New Mexico, batting at a .319 clip. Colorado State also has several individual leaders. Junior Jessica Strickland is second in batting average (.435), first in slugging percentage (.769), first in runs scored (27), first in hits (47) and second in home runs (8). Juniors Stacey Leigh and Brittany Huerta, alongside sophomore Lauren Cusick join Strickland in the top ten for home runs with 26 between them. Senior Tara Harbert is still in the lead with 21 total stolen bases and freshman Kim Klabough ranks first with 11 wins.
Patient at the Plate: Senior Katie Dean recorded a career high three walks last weekend in the first victory over the Lobos. She is tied for first on the team with 17 this season. Movin' On Up: Junior Jessica Strickland moved up on the list of career doubles, adding one in each game at New Mexico last weekend to give her 40. She now ranks fourth on the career charts. Strickland has also improved to fourth on the school's career charts with 78 total appearances as pitcher, tying Kristy Wirth (1988-1991). Strickland also leads the team with 18 multiple hit games this season.
Save-ior: Freshman Kim Klabough picked up her third save of the season in game two against New Mexico. This ties for third in the single season record books with Megan Masser (2004) and Nikki Johnson (1997).
