Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Iowa State
Penland Picks Up Rams
3/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 15, 2007
The Colorado State softball team (17-12) split a double header today against the Iowa State Cyclones (12-20) at the Sacramento Softball Complex in Sacramento, Calif. Iowa State defeated the Rams 6-1 in game one, but the Rams bounced back for a 4-0 victory in game two.
"It was really good to bounce back and get a win after the first game today," said head coach Mary Yori."
In game one, Colorado State's offense was limited to just four hits by Iowa Stat pitcher Alyssa Ransom, whose only mistake was a leadoff home run by CSU's Rebecca Penland, her first of the season, in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Iowa State gained control early, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run homer by left fielder Katie Reichling that proved to be the game winner.
Iowa State added one run in both the fourth and fifth innings, and sealed the victory with two more runs in the top of the seventh.
Senior pitcher Jessica Strickland fell to 5-4 on the season with the loss for the Rams. She allowed two earned runs on five hits and struck out two batters in 4.1 innings of work. Junior pitcher Cayte Billman pitched 2.2 innings in relief of Strickland allowing three runs on three hits and walking three batters while striking out two.
Game two was a reversal of fortunes, however, as Rams' pitcher Penland was able to hold Iowa State to just five hits and struck out 11 batters to pick up the complete game victory and improve to 3-2 on the season.
"Rebecca Penland pitched a gem for us today," added Yori.
Colorado State's offense also came to life in game two. The Rams broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run by freshman Ashley Munoz in the top of the second inning. Following an RBI single by Allison Majam in the third inning to score Robyn Mask, the Rams held a 2-0 advantage.
"Ashley (Munoz) and Allison (Majam) also came up with big hits for us," said Yori. "I'm pleased with our effort in that second game."
Senior Brittany Huerta added two more runs for the Rams with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning, scoring Mask who reached on a single to the shortstop. The home run was Huerta's team-leading eighth of the season. Huerta now has 30 home runs for her career at Colorado State and moves into a tie with Holly Schmillen (1998-01) for second place on the career charts, just two homers shy of the record held by Sara Fredstrom (1995-98).
The Rams will continue competition in Sacramento tomorrow in the Capital Classic Softball Tournament hosted by Sacramento State University. Colorado State opens the tournament with a game against Mercer beginning at 10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT. The Rams will then face Purdue at 5:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. MT in a rematch of last week's game at the Fresno State Bulldog Classic, which CSU won, 5-3.
