Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Mercer
Rams Split Day One of Capital Classic
3/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 16, 2007
The Colorado State softball team (17-13) split on day one of the Capital Classic in Sacramento, Calif. The Rams routed Mercer, 13-0, in their first game of the day, but fell to Purdue, 7-2, in their second game.
Senior Jessica Strickland led the Rams to the victory over Mercer, pitching a complete game (5 innings) two-hitter to improve to 6-4 on the season. Strickland also posted a 3-for-4 game from the plate with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored.
The Rams jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on an Allison Majam single to center field in the top of the first inning that plated Lauren Cusick. However, it was in the second and third innings that the Rams blew the game open, posting four and six runs, respectively, in the two innings.
With two outs in the top of the second inning, Cusick tripled to score freshman Robyn Mask before senior Brittany Huerta doubled to score Cusick. Strickland homered to give the Rams a 5-0 cushion through two innings.
In the third inning, Kayla Kreutzman singled in Mia Routh before a throwing error by the Mercer thirdbaseman allowed Jessica Harrison to score from third on a fielder's choice by Cusick. Huerta was hit by a pitch to score Kreutzman and one batter later, Strickland doubled to score Cusick and Mask. Huerta score the Rams' final run of the inning on a fielding error by the Mercer second baseman off the bat of Majam.
The Rams added two insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning when Majam doubled to score Huerta and Ashley Munoz hit a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Strickland.
In addition to Strickland, Cusick (2-for-3, three runs, one RBI), Huerta (2-for-2, three runs two RBI) and Majam (2-for-4, two RBI) als recorded multiple hits for the Rams.
"It was really good to begin this tournament with a win," said head coach Mary Yori.
The Rams offense, however, was stymied early on against Purdue and the team was never able to recover.
After battling to a 0-0 tie through two innings, the Boilermakers scored six runs in the top of the third inning to take control of the game, and then added one run in the top of the seventh inning.
The Rams, who had only recorded two hits entering the bottom of the seventh inning, put together three hits, but could only manage two runs, eventually falling by a final of 7-2.
Sophomore pitcher Kim Klabough picked up the loss for the Rams, allowing seven runs, only one earned, in 3.2 innings of work. Rebecca Penland pitched 3.1 innings in relief of Klabough and allowed just one hit while striking out four batters.
"We struggled early on in this contest, and Purdue came up with some big hits," added Yori.
Coach Yori and the Rams will look to get back on the winning track tomorrow when they face Minnesota and Cal Poly in the second round of the Capital Classic. First pitch against Minnesota is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT, followed by a 4 p.m. MT start against Cal Poly.
