Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Sacramento State
Softball recap: Rams rally in seventh to beat Hornets
3/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 18, 2010
By Tawny Dennis
Athletic Media Relations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Colorado State added to its winning streak Thursday, defeating Sacramento State, 8-6, at Shea Stadium for its sixth-straight victory during the spring break road trip.
The Rams (18-8, 0-0 Mountain West) have won six straight and 11of the last 12, and are 17-4 since the first weekend of the 2010 campaign.
Sacramento State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Marissa Navarro doubled down the left field line to plate teammates Molly McCormick and Emily Smith. McCormick walked to lead off the inning and advance to third when Smith singled through the left side.
The Rams answered in the following frame after freshman Brianna Donahue, junior Caitlan Stem and sophomores Jenna Krogh and Christine Thomsen recorded four straight singles to cut Sacramento State’s lead in half. Thomsen’s single plated Donahue and gave the Rams their first run of the game. Senior Rebecca Penland tied the game at 2-2 when she knocked a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Stem from third.
Sacramento State grabbed its second lead in as many innings in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits to take a 5-2 lead. Jessica Abelia led off the inning with a single and scored when Jenice Bartee reached first on a sacrifice bunt. The Hornets recorded their second run of the inning when Smith reached on a fielding error by CSU senior Robyn Mask. Smith scored Sacramento State’s third run of the inning when Kelly Shepard singled to right field.
Colorado State cut the Hornets’ lead to 5-3 in the top of the fifth inning after Caitlan Stem earned her second walk of the game and scored when Penland singled through the right side.
Sacramento State answered in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 6-3 heading into the final frame.
Stem scored the Rams’ first run of the seventh inning after she drew her third walk of the game and scored when Thomsen singled to center field. Senior Allison Majam tied the game at 6-6 when she doubled down the left-field line to plate Krogh and junior Ivory Allen. Krogh reached on a fielding error and Allen entered the game to pinch run for Thomsen.
Mask gave Colorado State its first lead of the game when she doubled to center field to plate Majam and senior Ashley Munoz, who drew a walk.
Sophomore Kelli Eubanks started in the circle for the Rams, throwing all seven innings. She allowed one hit in the bottom of the seventh, but struck out the final batter to secure her 14th victory of the season and 12th complete game.
Colorado State begins the Cathedral City Classic Friday against Nevada at 12 p.m. MT, followed by a rematch with tournament-host Sacramento State at 4 p.m. MT. The tournament continues Saturday when the Rams face Nevada for a second time at 12 p.m. MT. The tournament concludes Sunday with Colorado State and Utah State set for a 12 p.m. MT first pitch.
