Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
New Mexico State
Softball recap: CSU drops season opener to New Mexico State
2/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2011
By Meredith Danner
Athletic Media Relations
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Rams fell to the New Mexico State Aggies, 13-5 in five innings, in the season opener at the Hotel Encanto Invitational on Friday.
With the win, New Mexico State spoiled the CSU debut of new Head Coach Jen Fisher.
The only scoring for the Rams came in the second inning, when the offense erupted for five runs, matching the five put up by the Aggies in the first. Junior Lyssa Roberts advanced to second base on an error to bring in Ashley MacQueen, Ivory Allen and Brittany Palish. Though it was ruled an error, Roberts’ hit cleared the bases.
The other two RBI belonged to junior infielder Ashley MacQueen, who singled to bring in sophomore Brianna Donahue and freshman designated hitter Alysa Greckel, who doubled to knock in freshman Kendal Butterfield. On the mound, Kelsey Jo O’Brien started the game but pitched for just two-thirds of the first inning. Freshman Desiree Laswell stepped in to replace her, pitching until the fifth inning. Freshman Alexa Cash finished the game, allowing one run.
“Laswell did a nice job staying composed,” Fisher said. “I was just real impressed with her.”
New Mexico State’s roster features 10 seniors, compared to CSU’s two. Kandis Jones, Hoku Nohara and Ashley Maroda all contributed to the Aggies’ 13 runs with one RBI each and a combined three of their eight hits.
Fisher acknowledged the strength of the Aggies’ offense.
“It was good for us to be tested against a team like that,” she said. “It’s good for them to get out here and go against some good competition.”
Fisher, a 1997 CSU graduate and Fort Collins native, was looking forward to her first game at the Rams’ reins. “It was really exciting,” she said. “It’s going to be a learning process, but it felt good.”
The Rams will begin their second day of competition at the invitational on Saturday when they face in-state rival Northern Colorado at 10 a.m. MT. They will then face Minnesota at 5 p.m. MT.
