Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
University of South Florida
Softball recap: Rams lose two on second day of tournament
3/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 19, 2011
CSU vs. Texas A&M Final Stats | CSU vs. South Florida Final Stats
By Meredith Danner
Athletic Media Relations
CLEARWATER, Fla. – After taking one of two games on Friday, CSU dropped both of its games on Saturday at the USF The Game Tournament at Eddie C. Moore Complex. The Rams lost to No. 22 Texas A&M, 10-1, in six innings, before falling to host South Florida in an 8-2 decision.
With the two losses, CSU now holds a 1-3 record in the tournament, while falling to 6-25 overall.
“We’re still seeing growth every day,” CSU Head Coach Jen Fisher said.
The Rams first faced No. 22 Texas A&M (25-7, 0-0 Big 12), their fifth nationally ranked opponent of the season - and second in the last week - after facing No. 21/22 Texas Tech on Thursday.
Both teams were scoreless through the first two innings. The Aggies put two runs on the board in the fourth and scored at least once in each subsequent inning. CSU senior Caitlan Stem displayed solid defense in the second, diving to field a ground ball and turn a double play with runners on first and second.
“Those double plays are huge rally killers,” Fisher said.
CSU scored its only run in the sixth and final inning when freshman Chelsea Biglow singled and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder. Freshman Emily Pohl scored from first on the play.
Freshman Alexa Cash started on the mound for the Rams and gave up eight earned runs, striking out three, in five innings of work. Freshman Desiree Laswell came on in the sixth and pitched a one-hit inning.
The Rams faced host South Florida (17-14, 0-0 Big East) later in the afternoon and were held to three hits by the Bulls’ pitching staff. CSU freshman Morghan Doughty doubled to right-center field to begin the game, but was left on third base.
Senior Ivory Allen (1-for-4) singled to begin the fourth inning and later scored on an RBI single from freshman Alysa Greckel. Stem then hit into a double play, bringing in sophomore Brianna Donahue from third for the Rams’ second run.
After coming back from injury to make her 2011 debut on Friday, CSU junior Kelli Eubanks started her second game of the season. Still under a pitch count, Eubanks pitched two innings and gave up six earned runs in her first loss of the season. Despite showing signs of fatigue, Eubanks earned praise for her performance from Fisher.
“I’m really happy that we had the opportunity to use her,” Fisher said. “I think her confidence will start to grow and her endurance will keep getting better.”
Sophomore Kelsey Jo O’Brien pitched the remaining four innings and gave up two earned runs. O’Brien displayed good defense in the third inning when she caught a hard come-backer to begin a double play.
“I’m seeing better defense out of the pitchers across the board, and that’s really helping us,” Fisher said.
The Rams will complete their two-weekend stint in Clearwater on Sunday against Florida Atlantic at 10 a.m. MT to wrap up tournament play.
