Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Sacramento State
Softball recap: Rams split Day 1 of Capital Classic
3/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 19, 2010
Game 1 Stats | Game 2 Stats
By Danny Mattie
Athletic Media Relations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Colorado State softball team improved to 19-9 on the season, splitting a pair of games on Friday afternoon to begin play at the Captial Classic hosted by Sacramento State University.
The Rams opened play in the tourney suffering a 1-0 setback against the Nevada Wolf Pack, in a pitching duel between CSU’s Kelli Eubanks and Wolf Pack senior hurler Katie Holverson. Holverson held the Rams without a hit, and allowed just two walks in seven innings of work.
Eubanks (14-6) and the Rams battled the Wolf Pack to a scoreless tie through five innings, before giving up the game’s only run in the bottom of the sixth. Nevada’s leadoff batter, Noelle Mika, singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt, before scoring on a single to center by teammate Sam Bias.
Overall, Eubanks allowed just five hits in the contest, and struck out seven batters, but the Rams were unable to overcome a strong performance in the circle by Holverson.
“Both Eubanks and Holverson pitched great games,” said Head Coach Mary Yori. “Nevada was able to come up with a timely hit and we were not, but I’m very proud of the way our team bounced back in the second game.”
Colorado State’s offense responded in impressive fashion, as the Rams tallied nine runs on 12 hits en route to a 9-4 victory over the host Hornets.
Jenna Krogh (2-for-4), Christine Thomsen (2-for-3), Rebecca Penland (3-for-4) and Allison Majam (2-for-4) led the charge with multiple-hit performances in the Rams’ second game of the day.
Thomsen also scored three runs and Robyn Mask added two more, while Caitlan Stem drove in three runs, and Penland posted a pair of RBI. Krogh and Ashley Munoz also added one run and one RBI each.
Kelsey Jo O’Brien (3-2) picked up the win in the circle for the Rams, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out a pair of batters in 6.0 innings of work. Penland pitched one inning in relief of O’Brien, retiring the Hornets in order to seal the Rams’ victory.
“Kelsey Jo pitched very well today,” added Yori. “She was able to hold the Sacramento State offense and give us a great chance to win that game.”
The Rams, who have now won 12 of their last 14 contests, will have an opportunity to avenge Friday’s tournament-opening loss, with a rematch against the Nevada Wolf Pack scheduled for 12 p.m. MT on Saturday, Day 2 of the Capital Classic.
