Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
25-27, 0
UNLV
24-27, 0
Softball recap: Rebels pin down Rams Saturday
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Final Stats | Photo Gallery
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Following a 3-0 shutout Friday afternoon, UNLV's offense came back firing on all cylinders on Saturday, propelling the Rebels to a 12-3 victory in five innings. The Rams (25-27, 6-14 MW) were limited to four hits in the loss, including two by freshman Madison Kilcrease. The rubber match of the series, which will also be the Rams' final home game of the season, will take place Sunday.
UNLV (24-27, 10-10 MW) scored early and often, plating two runs in the first inning off of a home run by Samantha Jaurez and another two in the second inning from a combination of base hits and CSU miscues. Holding a 4-0 advantage, the Rebels blew the game open in the third, batting around and bringing seven runs across to extend their lead to 11-0. Junior Holly Reinke pitched the first 2.1 innings, before being relieved by freshman Logan Losh. Despite the relief, the Rebels kept applying the pressure, including a grand slam by Juarez.
"Logan had a hard time," Head Coach Jen Fisher said. "It's a difficult situation to be in when you're up against a tough-hitting team. They were doing it all; they had the short game going and they were hitting line drives back up the middle, which is a sign of a good team and that they're on a pitcher. After that, she settled back in and starting working to mix speeds."
CSU was able to get past UNLV's wall of defense in the bottom of the third, recording its first hit and two runs. Kilcrease singled to reach base and scored on an error by the Rebels' shortstop. Sophomore Haley Hutton followed immediately after, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Shae Rodriguez after being hit by a pitch.
Still carrying its offensive fire, UNLV tacked on another run in the fourth with a couple of singles. The Rams countered with a run of their own when Kilcrease singled to score Taylor Hutton -- who reached from a double -- but that would be all.
"We talked to the team about being in charge of their mental game," Fisher said. "They are a hard-working team, but I think at times they lack confidence that they should have. I don't think we were tough outs at the plate; we swung way too much at (Morgan Ettinger's) pitches, and we have to get back in by being unselfish at the plate. We have to draw the walks, wear the pitches and make her work. We didn't do that, and that's how we only got four hits."
CSU and UNLV will face off Sunday at 12 p.m. MT in the rubber match of the series. It will also be the final home game for the Rams' five seniors, who will be recognized following the game. Admission is free, and the game can also be streamed for free through the Mountain West Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: ETTINGER, M. (9-9)
L: Reinke, Holly (10-19)
Batting:
2B: HASLINGER, E 1
HR: JUAREZ, S. 2
RBI: BLANDO, G. 2 ; JUAREZ, S. 8 ; DEPIPPO, J. 1
SH: CORDOVA, A. 1 ; STOVER, B. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BLANDO, G. 2 ; GLACKIN, F. 2 ; JUAREZ, S. 2 ; HASLINGER, E 1 ; DEPIPPO, J. 1 ; VALADEZ, E. 1 ; YADAO-VALDEZ 3
SB: GLACKIN, F. 1
Batting:
2B: Hutton, Haley 1 ; Kilcrease, Madison 1
RBI: Rodriguez, Shae 1 ; Kilcrease, Madison 1
SF: Rodriguez, Shae 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hutton, Haley 1 ; Hutton, Taylor 1 ; Kilcrease, Madison 1
HBP: Hutton, Haley 1 ; Manzanares, Jaelyn 1
