Colorado State University Athletics
Softball Preview: New Mexico
5/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 4, 2006
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Leading Off: The Rams finish conference play with a double header against the New Mexico Lobos on May 6, at Ram field. The first game is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. MT. The Lobos hold a 40-35 all-time series record advantage over the Rams, however the Rams won both games earlier this season in Albuquerque, posting 21 total runs.
Weekend Wrap-up: The Rams struggled in two conference double headers against BYU and Utah on the road. The Rams fell 2-1 in game one against BYU on Friday with. Senior Tara Harbert scored the Rams' only run. However, CSU bounced back for a 9-3 victory in game two. Harbert led the Rams again with a 3-for-4 performance from the plate and added three runs. Junior Stacey Leigh also notched a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Saturday the Rams were overpowered by Utah, dropping both games of the double header. Junior Jessica Strickland posted a 3-for-4 performance with one run in the Rams' 7-3 loss in game one. In game two, the Rams were able to take a 6-5 lead after adding all six runs in top half of the fourth inning, but couldn't hold on and fell 11-6.
Strickland Moving Up The Charts: Junior Jessica Strickland is now second on the career charts at Colorado State with 47 doubles. All-American Sarah Fredstom ranks first with 51 two-baggers. Strickland also ranks fourth in career home runs with 23 for her career, just ahead of fellow junior Brittany Huerta who has notched 21 career long balls. Strickland also jumped to fifth on the career charts with 107 RBI behind Kelley Spence (1996-1999) with 114.
Nationally Ranked: Colorado State ranks nationally in five categories as a team. They are 7th in batting average (.319), 10th in home runs per game (1.06), 11th in slugging percentage (.498), 15th in doubles per game (1.5) and 23rd in scoring (5.29). The Rams have been in the top 30 in batting average the last three seasons. Colorado State is tied with Brigham Young for the MWC lead with five rankings. New Mexico and San Diego State are tied for second with four each. Two Rams rank on the individual charts. Senior Tara Harbert ranks 20th in stolen bases per game (.5) and 16th in runs per game (.96). Junior Jessica Strickland is ranked 16th in doubles per game (.35), 22nd in RBI per game (1.0), 23rd in batting average (.427) and 30th in runs per game (.9).
Dean's Streak: Heading into the final weekend of regular-season play, senior Katie Dean is riding a hitting streak of 11 games in MWC play. This streak is also her longest of the season and second longest on the team behind sophomore Julia Kloppe's 13-game hitting streak.
Remarkable Rams: The Rams have posted impressive career stats against conference foe New Mexico. Nine Rams have recorded batting averages over .300 against the Lobos. Senior Katie Dean posted a season-high three walks in the Rams' first victory on April 1 and junior Stacey Leigh hit a season-tying two home runs in the Rams' game two victory.
Single Season Charts: Several current Rams are moving up the single-season charts. After a strong performance over the weekend, senior Tara Harbert is now tied for fifth with Stephanie Roberts (2004) with 46 runs. Harbert is also fourth with 25 stolen bases and needs two more hits to tie Terri Klement (1989) for fifth with 68 hits. Junior Jessica Strickland is in a five-way tie for second with 11 home runs and fourth with 76 hits. Strickland also needs three more doubles to break her 2005 season record of 19. Sophomore Lauren Cusick needs one more double to move into a four-way tie for fifth. Cusick is also fifth on the season charts with 19.
Leigh-ve it to Stacey: Junior Stacey Leigh has had two two-home run games this season. Her last one came on April 1, 2006 against the Rams final opponent of the regular season, New Mexico Her first was at home in the Rams' 11-1 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears.
Solid Starter: Senior leadoff hitter Tara Harbert is the only Ram to have started all 48 games in the same position in the batting order. Junior Jessica Strickland is a close second, starting 43 games in the second slot. Harbert (2B) is also one of three Rams to start all 48 games at the same position. Sophomore Lauren Cusick and senior Katie Dean have both started every game this year at third base and center field, respectively. Strickland has started all 48 games, splitting time between pitcher (24 games) and designated player (24 games).
Team Season Records: The Rams rank on the single season charts both as a team and individually. As a team, the Rams are currently third in batting average (.319) behind the 1997 squad (.322). They are also third in runs (254), hits (438) and doubles (72). The team needs just one more triple to move into a four-way tie for fourth. This season's team also ranks second in home runs (51) and third in RBI (238).
Caus(grove) and Effect: Freshman Shannon Causgrove has recorded two home runs so far this season, both in the state of New Mexico. Her last homer came in game two of the Rams' double header against New Mexico on April 1.
Closing Conference Action: Since Mary Yori's first season as the Rams' head coach, CSU is 3-2 in final regular-season games. Their last win was in 2004 against New Mexico.
Senior Power: The four Ram seniors are headed into the final regular-season conference game of their career this weekend with impressive records. The team is 132-74 overall in the past four seasons. Katie Dean and Jennifer Gardner have each been here for all four seasons. Dean boasts a 124-73 record as a Ram and Gardner is 106-66. Rachelle Padeway is 71-46 in her three years. With Tara Harbert in the lineup this season, the Rams are 25-23.
Colorado State vs. New Mexico: The Lobos may hold the all-time series record advantage at 40-35, but the Rams are 15-2 against the Lobos dating back to the beginning of the 2002 season. The Rams' last loss to the Lobos was on March 30, 2002.
Yori's Record: With a record of 161-143 at CSU, head coach Mary Yori is now the winningest coach in CSU softball history, surpassing Candi Letts (1994-98) who won 160 games.