Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
UNLV
Softball recap: CSU falls to UNLV in conference opener
4/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 8, 2011
By Meredith Danner
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Rams opened Mountain West Conference play against UNLV on Friday with their highest offensive output since March 6, but despite eight runs and a near rally in the bottom of the seventh, they ultimately fell to the Rebels in a 9-8 decision.
With the loss, CSU’s overall record becomes 7-28 (0-1 MWC), while the Rebels improve to 19-13 (1-0 MWC). In 2010, the Rams lost their first conference matchup, 7-4, also against UNLV. The all-time series between the two teams now sits in favor of the Rebels, who are 30-29 against the Rams.
For CSU, the game also marks the fourth time this season that a game has been decided by one run.
“I was happy with our patience, and I think, obviously, we were right in that game, and that’s all we can ask for,” CSU Head Coach Jen Fisher said.
Freshman Morghan Doughty (1-for-4) got the offense started for the Rams in the bottom of the second inning with a single up the middle to bring in senior Ivory Allen and sophomore Brianna Donahue, giving the Rams a 3-1 lead.
The Rams scored again in the fifth, when Donahue (1-for-3) reached on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded. Sophomore Brittany Palish scored from second.
CSU scored four more runs in the sixth, starting with a solo home run from senior Caitlan Stem (2-for-3), her fourth of the season.
“Stem was really on it today,” Fisher said. “It was exciting to see. I definitely saw everybody really step up and battle at the plate, which has been our main focus in this process.”
Freshman Alysa Greckel (2-for-3) later singled down the right-field line with runners on first and second for an RBI. With a subsequent throwing error by the UNLV catcher, all three runners scored on the play and brought the Rams to within one run.
The Rams came close to a rally in the bottom of the seventh after Doughty and Stem drew walks with two outs to bring freshman Emily Pohl to the plate, but Pohl grounded out to third base to end the game.
CSU freshman pitcher Alexa Cash started for the Rams, giving up seven runs over 4.2 innings. Freshman Desiree Laswell entered the game in the fifth, and after giving up the Rebels’ final two runs in the sixth, pitched a one-two-three seventh.
“I think Laswell did a great job, and I think Cash did a great job,” Fisher said. ”That’s just a real solid hitting team, and they just can square it up…I think they know they’ve got room for improvement, but both did their job and let the defense play, and that’s what they’ve been asking of them.”
The Rams will resume MWC action against conference-leading San Diego State on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT. The two teams will face each other again on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT.
