Colorado State University Athletics
Softball preview: CSU set to begin season in New Mexico
2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 4, 2015
OPENING WEEKEND
Game 2: CSU vs. Texas Tech | Friday, Feb. 6 | 6 p.m. MT | Live Stats
During its 2014 campaign, Texas Tech posted a 35-19 record. The Big 12 team welcomes back 14 letterwinners, four starters and new head coach Adrian Gregory. Of the returning letterwinners, sophomore infielder Kierra Miles holds the highest batting average, hitting .310 with 28 runs, seven home runs and 36 RBI. CSU has faced Texas Tech six times, splitting the series at three games apiece.
Game 3: CSU vs. Montana | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1:30 p.m. MT | Live Stats
Montana is in its inaugural season as a softball team. Of the Grizzlies’ 20 players, 15 are freshmen, while four have collegiate playing experience. One of the Grizzlies’ seasoned players, Bethany Olea, transferred from Arizona Western. She was named a 2014 Junior College All-American in 2014, hitting .464 with eight home runs and 63 RBI.
Game 4: CSU vs. UTSA | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. MT | Live Stats
UTSA completed 2014 with a 24-30 record. Senior infielder Megan Low was the NCAA Division I leader for home runs per game, averaging 0.44. As a junior, she also batted .388, scoring 34 runs, driving in 47 and collecting 137 total bases. Low is a Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year. The Rams and Roadrunners have met 12 times, with CSU owning a 7-5 record.
Game 5: CSU at New Mexico State | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 12 p.m. MT | Live Stats
New Mexico State went 31-23 in 2014, and is the preseason favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference title in 2015. Staci Rodriguez, a senior outfielder, was the preseason player of the year. As a junior, Rodriguez hit .397 with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 45 RBI and at one point reaching base in 37 consecutive plate appearances. CSU is 23-30 against its former conference foe.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2015
Following one of the program’s most successful seasons ever, the Colorado State softball team is still hungry for more. The Rams’ 32 victories were the most since 2004, their winning percentage was the fifth-best ever and the team had three players named to the NFCA All-Region team for the first time in more than a decade.
But CSU believes it still had more to accomplish, being in the running for a Mountain West title until the final day of the season.
“There’s a lot of drive with this group,” Head Coach Jen Fisher said. “The seniors have been second place or have been in contention going into the final weekend all three years. They want to take the next step.”
The Rams graduated six seniors – including one of their three All-Region selections, Chelsea O’Connor, who led the nation for RBI-per-game – but they bring back their two others, in addition to a slew of other top contributors.
“I think our biggest strength is that we’re mentally tough,” Fisher said. “I think that’s going to be a difference for us. We don’t need a superstar; we just need every player in the lineup to be mentally ready every game.”
Junior Holly Reinke leads the pitching staff. As a sophomore, she appeared in 33 of CSU’s 49 games, earning 20 victories – third-most in CSU history and third in the MW in 2014. She also ranked in the top five in the MW for ERA, strikeouts and batting average against. The Rams also return their two other pitchers, in addition to bringing in two more.
Sophomore Haley Hutton was one of the nation’s top freshman in 2014, hitting .413 (second in the MW; 49th nationally) while getting on base at a .521 clip (third; 31st). Her 33 walks were the second-most in CSU history, her batting average ranked third and her runs scored – which ranked 14th nationally – were fifth in CSU’s record book.
Hutton’s older sister, Taylor, is a senior on the team, and her younger sister, Bridgette, signed a National Letter of Intent to play for CSU beginning in 2016. Their mother, Chris Oglesby, was an All-Region player for the Rams in the 1980s.
Hutton will shift from second base to shortstop. The Rams will also return their starting catcher, designated player and two outfielders, and are encouraged by the eight newcomers they brought in and their five seniors.
“Our senior leadership is outstanding,” Fisher said. “We had so many seniors last year that I didn’t know what would happen when they took the reins. They’ve done a fantastic job, though. I’m really proud of them.”
FOURTH IN THE PRESEASON POLL
CSU was picked to finish fourth in the 2015 Mountain West Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 43 points and placing just behind UNLV (44). Three-time defending champion San Diego State was picked to finish second (54), while Fresno State is the preseason favorite (63). The Bulldogs earned seven of the nine first-place votes, while the Aztecs and Rebels picked up one apiece. San Jose State (34), Boise State (33), Nevada (26), Utah State (18) and New Mexico (9) rounded out the preseason poll.
CSU is coming off of three-consecutive winning seasons, and is looking to be just the fourth team in program history to have four in a row.
NEW TO THE CREW
UP NEXT
CSU opens the season with tournaments in six-consecutive weekends before beginning conference play on March 20. Next up is the Texas Classic in Austin, Texas, featuring IPFW, Wichita State and Texas.
OPENING WEEKEND
Colorado State kicks off its 2015 campaign in Las Cruces, N.M., on Friday, competing in the six-team, three-day Hotel Encanto Invitational.
Game 1: CSU vs. No. 18/20 Nebraska | Friday, Feb. 6 | 1:30 p.m. MT | Live Stats | Nebraska Radio
Nebraska held a 44-18 record in 2014, capturing its second-consecutive NCAA Regional title. The Huskers return 11 letterwinners from last year, including eight position starters. Senior catcher Steph Pasquale, who was injured during the 2014 season, was named to the USA Softball College Player of the Year Watch List on Jan. 28, after hitting .465 with 21 doubles, 15 homers and 80 RBI in 2013. CSU is 7-8 all-time against Nebraska.
Game 1: CSU vs. No. 18/20 Nebraska | Friday, Feb. 6 | 1:30 p.m. MT | Live Stats | Nebraska Radio
Nebraska held a 44-18 record in 2014, capturing its second-consecutive NCAA Regional title. The Huskers return 11 letterwinners from last year, including eight position starters. Senior catcher Steph Pasquale, who was injured during the 2014 season, was named to the USA Softball College Player of the Year Watch List on Jan. 28, after hitting .465 with 21 doubles, 15 homers and 80 RBI in 2013. CSU is 7-8 all-time against Nebraska.
Game 2: CSU vs. Texas Tech | Friday, Feb. 6 | 6 p.m. MT | Live Stats
During its 2014 campaign, Texas Tech posted a 35-19 record. The Big 12 team welcomes back 14 letterwinners, four starters and new head coach Adrian Gregory. Of the returning letterwinners, sophomore infielder Kierra Miles holds the highest batting average, hitting .310 with 28 runs, seven home runs and 36 RBI. CSU has faced Texas Tech six times, splitting the series at three games apiece.
Game 3: CSU vs. Montana | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1:30 p.m. MT | Live Stats
Montana is in its inaugural season as a softball team. Of the Grizzlies’ 20 players, 15 are freshmen, while four have collegiate playing experience. One of the Grizzlies’ seasoned players, Bethany Olea, transferred from Arizona Western. She was named a 2014 Junior College All-American in 2014, hitting .464 with eight home runs and 63 RBI.
Game 4: CSU vs. UTSA | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. MT | Live Stats
UTSA completed 2014 with a 24-30 record. Senior infielder Megan Low was the NCAA Division I leader for home runs per game, averaging 0.44. As a junior, she also batted .388, scoring 34 runs, driving in 47 and collecting 137 total bases. Low is a Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year. The Rams and Roadrunners have met 12 times, with CSU owning a 7-5 record.
Game 5: CSU at New Mexico State | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 12 p.m. MT | Live Stats
New Mexico State went 31-23 in 2014, and is the preseason favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference title in 2015. Staci Rodriguez, a senior outfielder, was the preseason player of the year. As a junior, Rodriguez hit .397 with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 45 RBI and at one point reaching base in 37 consecutive plate appearances. CSU is 23-30 against its former conference foe.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR 2015
Following one of the program’s most successful seasons ever, the Colorado State softball team is still hungry for more. The Rams’ 32 victories were the most since 2004, their winning percentage was the fifth-best ever and the team had three players named to the NFCA All-Region team for the first time in more than a decade.
But CSU believes it still had more to accomplish, being in the running for a Mountain West title until the final day of the season.
“There’s a lot of drive with this group,” Head Coach Jen Fisher said. “The seniors have been second place or have been in contention going into the final weekend all three years. They want to take the next step.”
The Rams graduated six seniors – including one of their three All-Region selections, Chelsea O’Connor, who led the nation for RBI-per-game – but they bring back their two others, in addition to a slew of other top contributors.
“I think our biggest strength is that we’re mentally tough,” Fisher said. “I think that’s going to be a difference for us. We don’t need a superstar; we just need every player in the lineup to be mentally ready every game.”
Junior Holly Reinke leads the pitching staff. As a sophomore, she appeared in 33 of CSU’s 49 games, earning 20 victories – third-most in CSU history and third in the MW in 2014. She also ranked in the top five in the MW for ERA, strikeouts and batting average against. The Rams also return their two other pitchers, in addition to bringing in two more.
Sophomore Haley Hutton was one of the nation’s top freshman in 2014, hitting .413 (second in the MW; 49th nationally) while getting on base at a .521 clip (third; 31st). Her 33 walks were the second-most in CSU history, her batting average ranked third and her runs scored – which ranked 14th nationally – were fifth in CSU’s record book.
Hutton’s older sister, Taylor, is a senior on the team, and her younger sister, Bridgette, signed a National Letter of Intent to play for CSU beginning in 2016. Their mother, Chris Oglesby, was an All-Region player for the Rams in the 1980s.
Hutton will shift from second base to shortstop. The Rams will also return their starting catcher, designated player and two outfielders, and are encouraged by the eight newcomers they brought in and their five seniors.
“Our senior leadership is outstanding,” Fisher said. “We had so many seniors last year that I didn’t know what would happen when they took the reins. They’ve done a fantastic job, though. I’m really proud of them.”
FOURTH IN THE PRESEASON POLL
CSU was picked to finish fourth in the 2015 Mountain West Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 43 points and placing just behind UNLV (44). Three-time defending champion San Diego State was picked to finish second (54), while Fresno State is the preseason favorite (63). The Bulldogs earned seven of the nine first-place votes, while the Aztecs and Rebels picked up one apiece. San Jose State (34), Boise State (33), Nevada (26), Utah State (18) and New Mexico (9) rounded out the preseason poll.
CSU is coming off of three-consecutive winning seasons, and is looking to be just the fourth team in program history to have four in a row.
NEW TO THE CREW
The Rams graduated six players who helped turn around the program, and now welcome eight new-comers.
- Savannah Clark – Helped Norco High School in Corona, Calif., to a 2012 national championship.
- Sierra Galbreath – Is a two-time league champion (Ralston Valley) and was the 2014 Jefferson County 5A Athlete of the Year.
- Dani Hailey – Comes to CSU from Rocky Mountain High School, where she was an all-conference play-er.
- Trinity Harrington – Earned two state championships with Valley High School, where she was a three-time all-state player.
- Madison Kilcrease – Earned two all-state and three all-area honors for Roosevelt High School in John-stown High School.
- Danni Klein – As the 2013 CHSAA 3A Player of the Year, won a second-consecutive state title for Stras-burg High School.
- Logan Losh – Earned two state titles for Strasburg High School, where she holds her school’s career strikeout record.
- Hannah McCorkhill – For La Sierra High School in Riverside, Calif., led her league in home runs and RBI as a junior.
TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
After three-consecutive winning seasons and falling just short of a conference title each season, the Rams look to continue to rise and show what they are capable of doing. They will be tested early and often, facing five teams during non-conference play – Arizona, Arizona State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas – which are currently ranked in the top 25.
After three-consecutive winning seasons and falling just short of a conference title each season, the Rams look to continue to rise and show what they are capable of doing. They will be tested early and often, facing five teams during non-conference play – Arizona, Arizona State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas – which are currently ranked in the top 25.
A LOOK BACK AT 2014
The Rams finished the 2014 season with a 32-17 record, and were in contention for a conference title entering the final day of the regular season. It was an historic season on many levels, including the most victories since 2004, the fifth-highest winning percentage in school history and a 15-5 home record.
Individually, three players earned NFCA All-Region honors, the most since 2004. Two of the players – Haley Hutton and Holly Reinke – return to the diamond in 2015, while the other, Chelsea O’Connor, graduated after leading the nation in RBI per game.
Other highlights:
The Rams finished the 2014 season with a 32-17 record, and were in contention for a conference title entering the final day of the regular season. It was an historic season on many levels, including the most victories since 2004, the fifth-highest winning percentage in school history and a 15-5 home record.
Individually, three players earned NFCA All-Region honors, the most since 2004. Two of the players – Haley Hutton and Holly Reinke – return to the diamond in 2015, while the other, Chelsea O’Connor, graduated after leading the nation in RBI per game.
Other highlights:
- 294 runs (3rd in CSU single-season history)
- 266 RBI (3rd)
- .313 batting average (4th)
- .964 fielding percentage (4th)
- 80 doubles (4th)
- 13 triples (5th)
- .485 slugging percentage (5th)
- 8 wins in a row during March/April (T-4th)
- Haley Hutton - 33 walks (2nd); .413 batting average (3rd); 52 runs (5th)
- Chelsea O’Connor - 66 RBI (T-1st with Sarah Fredstrom (1997)
- Holly Reinke - 20 wins (T-3rd)
UP NEXT
CSU opens the season with tournaments in six-consecutive weekends before beginning conference play on March 20. Next up is the Texas Classic in Austin, Texas, featuring IPFW, Wichita State and Texas.
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