Colorado State University Athletics
Softball preview: CSU takes 7-game winning streak on road
3/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2015
Weekly Release #6 (PDF)
PREVIEWING THE FIELD
Colorado State travels to Northridge, Calif., this weekend, and will play five games in three days, against host Cal State Northridge, a team receiving top-25 votes in both major polls. The Rams enter play on a seven-game winning streak.
WEEKEND IN REVIEW - COLORADO STATE CLASSIC
Over the weekend, the Rams went 5-0 to win the Colorado State Classic and move its overall record above .500. Despite weather delays, CSU was able to keep their minds in the zone, beating Nebraska Omaha 5-4 and Drake 8-4 on Saturday. On the day, freshman Savannah Clark drove in four runs in her first games at Ram Field, and Colorado State came back to win after trailing in the early innings. Against Drake, Molly Randle threw seven innings and allowed one earned run and four hits, picking up the victory.
On Sunday, Colorado State faced Drake once more, running past the Bulldogs to win 6-4. CSU fell behind early, but was able to come back when the Bulldogs walked three consecutive batters and Clark singled to bring in two. CSU took the lead in the fourth when Madison Kilcrease and Haley Hutton reached on singles and Shae Rodriguez plated them with a two-run single.
The second game of the day against Valparaiso saw little action compared to previous games, with the biggest bang coming early from Haley Hutton. Leading off the first inning, the sophomore knocked out a solo home run, her first of the season. Due to the little action, Valparaiso kept pace with Colorado State, forcing the game into extra innings. Thanks in part to the international tiebreaker, which automatically places a runner at second base to begin the inning, both teams scored once in the eighth. The game at that point was suspended due to darkness, and was picked up the following day. After Valparaiso scored twice in the ninth, CSU was not deterred, quickly tying the game with a Jaelyn Manzanares two-run home run, and won it with a walk, sacrifice bunt and two hits.
Both teams had a quick turnaround to start the final game of the tournament. CSU ended the game with an 8-3 win over Valapariso as Savannah Clark hit her first collegiate home run and Manzanares added her second of the day and fourth of the season.
RAMS TAKE DOWN THE BEARS
After an extended weekend, Colorado State traveled to Greeley to face Northern Colorado in their annual matchup. A team effort brought home the 8-6 win, which extends CSU's win streak to seven. The Rams earned an early 8-0 lead, but the Bears fought back to bring the score to 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Holly Reinke held under pressure, striking out the tying run to improve to 7-8. In the game, Haley Hutton drove in three runs, going 2-of-4, while Savannah Clark went 2-of-3, scoring two runs.
OVER THE LIMIT
The Rams may not seem like a threat when at the plate, holding a .291 batting average that ranks sixth in the Mountain West, but when able to get on base, they make the most of it. This year, CSU has a few speed demons, like Haley Hutton, Haley David, Taryn Arcarese, and Madison Kilcrease, who are able to out-run a throw from third and steal with grace and ease. Overall, the speed demons have contributed to CSU's first-place rank in the MW with 33 stolen bases, only being caught four times.
THE SUN MAY COME OUT TOMORROW
As any native to Colorado knows, the weather is ever changing, especially in the time before spring starts. Over the past three years when Colorado State has hosted a tournament, seven games were cancelled due to weather. This year, the Friday game against Nebraska Omaha was cancelled due to snowy and swampy conditions of the field. However, the Rams made up the lost playing time by playing against Valparaiso twice in the weekend, completing the five game schedule.
Last year at the Colorado State Classic, the first day also saw snow that cancelled two games against Nebraska Omaha and Southern Utah. In 2013, four games were cancelled in the Colorado Spring Tournament, the Rams unable to face Ball State and Columbia for two games apiece due to snow.
THE VIEW FROM 100
With CSU's 10-6 win over Indiana State on Feb. 21, Head Coach Jen Fisher earned her 100th career victory as a Ram. Fisher, now at 102-118 in four-plus seasons in Fort Collins, is one of three CSU coaches to reach triple digits, and the second-fastest to do so. Even more impressive, Fisher's Rams are 94-75 since the start of the 2012 season.
Success seems to follow Fisher wherever she goes. Prior to her time in Fort Collins, she went 355-119 at Otero Junior College and 125-36 while resurrecting the Metro State softball program. She led the Roadrunners to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the College World Series semifinals. After an 8-43 season in 2011, her first in Fort Collins, she has since led the Rams to three-consecutive winning seasons.
STEPPING UP
After graduating six of the Rams' top offensive weapons a year ago, CSU has quickly reloaded.
Senior Haley David, a lifetime .287 hitter with 31 career hits entering this season, ranks second on the team with a .341 batting average (24-for-74). Additionally, senior Taylor Hutton and junior Jaelyn Manzanares average a combined 1.45 RBI per game, up from their 0.23 career average entering this year.
Several freshmen have made immediate impacts, with four earning starts already this season. Freshman Savannah Clark is hitting a team-best .333 and has started every game she has played in. Her and Madison Kilcrease made large impacts in the Rams' home victories over the weekend, as did Logan Losh, who earned her fist career victory.
WHAT A KNOCKOUT
Danielle Wikre is tearing the cover off the ball, leading CSU in most offensive categories. During an eight-game stretch from Feb. 13-21, the senior hit .440 (11-for-25), scoring eight times and driving in 14 runs. She ranks in the top five in the Mountain West for home runs (6, third), RBI (18, fifth) and total bases (39, fifth). She also ranks in the top 10 for runs scored and leads the league with a perfect fielding percentage in 153 chances. The Berthoud, Colo., native hit home runs in back-to-back innings in a win over Indiana State on Feb. 21, and a week prior against Wichita State (Feb. 13), hit a grand slam.
NO-HIT WONDER
Molly Randle recorded the first win of her senior season against IPFW on Feb. 14, and it was a big one. Randle didn't surrender a single hit to the Mastodons batters, recording CSU's first no-hitter since Kelli Eubanks in 2010. The Texas native tossed six innings in the circle, striking out three and walking two. The Rams won the game, 10-0, after six innings.
RAMS IN THE RANKINGS
Entering the second week of March, the team and several players of the Colorado State Softball team take their place as leaders in the Mountain West. As a team, the Green and Gold are first in stolen bases (33), second in sacrifice flies (6), tied for second in homeruns (18), third in on-base percentage (.402) along with other placements in rankings. Individually, Haley Hutton leads the conference with 24 walks and 103 total plate appearances while sits at second with nine stolen bases and 102 plate appearances. For a complete look at the rankings, see page 4.
UP NEXT
The Rams return home for an extended stay, facing Fresno State for their conference opener, March 20-22, in addition to a non-conference game on March 25 against Northern Colorado to conclude the annual in-state matchup.
PREVIEWING THE FIELD
Colorado State travels to Northridge, Calif., this weekend, and will play five games in three days, against host Cal State Northridge, a team receiving top-25 votes in both major polls. The Rams enter play on a seven-game winning streak.
- Iona enters the weekend with a 1-5 mark. Gaels junior infielder Sarah Schultz leads the team with a .421 batting average, .842 slugging percentage, three runs, two doubles, two home runs and five RBI. Against Iona, CSU is 1-0 all-time.
- Bryant arrives in Northridge with a 5-10 record. Bulldogs senior outfielder Taylor Burger leads the team with a .474 batting average with six runs. The Rams and the Bulldogs faced each other earlier in the year at the Wildcat Invitational, with CSU winning 7-1.
- Buffalo holds a 4-11 mark going into the weekend. Alexis Curtiss, a senior outfielder/third baseman for the Bulls, leads the team with a .481 batting average. Through 13 games played, she has recorded 25 hits, 13 runs, nine doubles, one triple, one home run, 13 RBI, four walks and a .750 slugging percentage. The game on Saturday is the first time the Bulls and the Rams have faced each other.
- Cal State Northridge hosts with an 18-7 record. Freshman pitcher Zoe Conley holds a 1.89 ERA over 18 appearances, allowing 46 hits, 24 runs, and 23 walks while striking out 68. Cal State Northridge leads the all-time record 14-1.
WEEKEND IN REVIEW - COLORADO STATE CLASSIC
Over the weekend, the Rams went 5-0 to win the Colorado State Classic and move its overall record above .500. Despite weather delays, CSU was able to keep their minds in the zone, beating Nebraska Omaha 5-4 and Drake 8-4 on Saturday. On the day, freshman Savannah Clark drove in four runs in her first games at Ram Field, and Colorado State came back to win after trailing in the early innings. Against Drake, Molly Randle threw seven innings and allowed one earned run and four hits, picking up the victory.
On Sunday, Colorado State faced Drake once more, running past the Bulldogs to win 6-4. CSU fell behind early, but was able to come back when the Bulldogs walked three consecutive batters and Clark singled to bring in two. CSU took the lead in the fourth when Madison Kilcrease and Haley Hutton reached on singles and Shae Rodriguez plated them with a two-run single.
The second game of the day against Valparaiso saw little action compared to previous games, with the biggest bang coming early from Haley Hutton. Leading off the first inning, the sophomore knocked out a solo home run, her first of the season. Due to the little action, Valparaiso kept pace with Colorado State, forcing the game into extra innings. Thanks in part to the international tiebreaker, which automatically places a runner at second base to begin the inning, both teams scored once in the eighth. The game at that point was suspended due to darkness, and was picked up the following day. After Valparaiso scored twice in the ninth, CSU was not deterred, quickly tying the game with a Jaelyn Manzanares two-run home run, and won it with a walk, sacrifice bunt and two hits.
Both teams had a quick turnaround to start the final game of the tournament. CSU ended the game with an 8-3 win over Valapariso as Savannah Clark hit her first collegiate home run and Manzanares added her second of the day and fourth of the season.
RAMS TAKE DOWN THE BEARS
After an extended weekend, Colorado State traveled to Greeley to face Northern Colorado in their annual matchup. A team effort brought home the 8-6 win, which extends CSU's win streak to seven. The Rams earned an early 8-0 lead, but the Bears fought back to bring the score to 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Holly Reinke held under pressure, striking out the tying run to improve to 7-8. In the game, Haley Hutton drove in three runs, going 2-of-4, while Savannah Clark went 2-of-3, scoring two runs.
OVER THE LIMIT
The Rams may not seem like a threat when at the plate, holding a .291 batting average that ranks sixth in the Mountain West, but when able to get on base, they make the most of it. This year, CSU has a few speed demons, like Haley Hutton, Haley David, Taryn Arcarese, and Madison Kilcrease, who are able to out-run a throw from third and steal with grace and ease. Overall, the speed demons have contributed to CSU's first-place rank in the MW with 33 stolen bases, only being caught four times.
THE SUN MAY COME OUT TOMORROW
As any native to Colorado knows, the weather is ever changing, especially in the time before spring starts. Over the past three years when Colorado State has hosted a tournament, seven games were cancelled due to weather. This year, the Friday game against Nebraska Omaha was cancelled due to snowy and swampy conditions of the field. However, the Rams made up the lost playing time by playing against Valparaiso twice in the weekend, completing the five game schedule.
Last year at the Colorado State Classic, the first day also saw snow that cancelled two games against Nebraska Omaha and Southern Utah. In 2013, four games were cancelled in the Colorado Spring Tournament, the Rams unable to face Ball State and Columbia for two games apiece due to snow.
THE VIEW FROM 100
With CSU's 10-6 win over Indiana State on Feb. 21, Head Coach Jen Fisher earned her 100th career victory as a Ram. Fisher, now at 102-118 in four-plus seasons in Fort Collins, is one of three CSU coaches to reach triple digits, and the second-fastest to do so. Even more impressive, Fisher's Rams are 94-75 since the start of the 2012 season.
Success seems to follow Fisher wherever she goes. Prior to her time in Fort Collins, she went 355-119 at Otero Junior College and 125-36 while resurrecting the Metro State softball program. She led the Roadrunners to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the College World Series semifinals. After an 8-43 season in 2011, her first in Fort Collins, she has since led the Rams to three-consecutive winning seasons.
STEPPING UP
After graduating six of the Rams' top offensive weapons a year ago, CSU has quickly reloaded.
Senior Haley David, a lifetime .287 hitter with 31 career hits entering this season, ranks second on the team with a .341 batting average (24-for-74). Additionally, senior Taylor Hutton and junior Jaelyn Manzanares average a combined 1.45 RBI per game, up from their 0.23 career average entering this year.
Several freshmen have made immediate impacts, with four earning starts already this season. Freshman Savannah Clark is hitting a team-best .333 and has started every game she has played in. Her and Madison Kilcrease made large impacts in the Rams' home victories over the weekend, as did Logan Losh, who earned her fist career victory.
WHAT A KNOCKOUT
Danielle Wikre is tearing the cover off the ball, leading CSU in most offensive categories. During an eight-game stretch from Feb. 13-21, the senior hit .440 (11-for-25), scoring eight times and driving in 14 runs. She ranks in the top five in the Mountain West for home runs (6, third), RBI (18, fifth) and total bases (39, fifth). She also ranks in the top 10 for runs scored and leads the league with a perfect fielding percentage in 153 chances. The Berthoud, Colo., native hit home runs in back-to-back innings in a win over Indiana State on Feb. 21, and a week prior against Wichita State (Feb. 13), hit a grand slam.
NO-HIT WONDER
Molly Randle recorded the first win of her senior season against IPFW on Feb. 14, and it was a big one. Randle didn't surrender a single hit to the Mastodons batters, recording CSU's first no-hitter since Kelli Eubanks in 2010. The Texas native tossed six innings in the circle, striking out three and walking two. The Rams won the game, 10-0, after six innings.
RAMS IN THE RANKINGS
Entering the second week of March, the team and several players of the Colorado State Softball team take their place as leaders in the Mountain West. As a team, the Green and Gold are first in stolen bases (33), second in sacrifice flies (6), tied for second in homeruns (18), third in on-base percentage (.402) along with other placements in rankings. Individually, Haley Hutton leads the conference with 24 walks and 103 total plate appearances while sits at second with nine stolen bases and 102 plate appearances. For a complete look at the rankings, see page 4.
UP NEXT
The Rams return home for an extended stay, facing Fresno State for their conference opener, March 20-22, in addition to a non-conference game on March 25 against Northern Colorado to conclude the annual in-state matchup.
Tuesday, June 16
Sunday, April 21
Sunday, April 07
Saturday, March 26