Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
16-10, 4-3
New Mexico
16-13, 2-2
Recap: Rams dominate in 12-2 win over New Mexico
3/31/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Colorado State Rams opened their series at New Mexico with a 12-2, six-inning win on Friday.
CSU pitcher Kaylynn Pierce improved to 7-1 on the season for the Rams (16-10, 4-3 MW). CSU run-ruled the Lobos (16-13, 2-2) in six innings to end the game early.
Bridgette Hutton, who was playing in the designated player spot, contributed 4 RBI to the Rams' scoring total and Pierce added 2 RBI herself in the sixth inning as the pitchers led the way for CSU.
B. Hutton's first 2 RBI got the Rams on the board in the second inning. The sophomore doubled to right center, scoring Taryn Arcarese and pinch runner Kirsten Kauk to put the Rams up 2-0.
The third inning brought another pair of RBI from B. Hutton, this time on a single to center field. Madison Kilcrease and Lauren Buchanan scored on the play, following a run scored by Amber Nelson earlier in the inning, pushing the CSU lead up to 5-0.
Hannah McCorkhill hit an opposite field home run over the right field wall to lead off the fourth inning, to put the Rams up 6-0. Pierce did not allow a hit to the Lobos over the first three innings, but the home team did get on the board once in both the fourth and fifth innings. CSU scored twice itself in the top of the fifth, taking an 8-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Arcarese and Kilcrease got on base to lead off the sixth, putting runners at the corners as Pierce came up to the plate. The pitcher capped off her strong performance in the circle with a two-run double to left field. Haley Hutton came up next, and tripled down the left field line to score Danni Klein, who pinch ran for Pierce. Hutton scored herself on a wild pitch shortly after, giving the Rams a 12-2 advantage.
Pierce's complete game was her fourth of the year, as the junior struck out five while only walking one batter.
IN THEIR WORDS…
"They're both such great athletes. It's neat to see them use all their skills like that. As long as they stay level on the mound, we'll keep asking them to do it all." - Fisher on the all-around performances from pitchers Kaylynn Pierce and Bridgette Hutton on Friday
NOTES…
- After the two teams combined for a scoreless first inning, CSU got on the board first with a two-run second. The Rams are now 14-3 on the year when scoring first.
- The Rams scored at least once in innings 2-6, getting production throughout their lineup.
- Hannah McCorkhill's home run was her sixth of the year, good for second on the team.
- Bridgette Hutton made her fifth start of the year at the designated player spot, and recorded a career-high 4 RBI.
- Kaylynn Pierce is now 7-1 on the year and has tallied each of CSU's last three wins.
NEXT…
CSU will play New Mexico in Game 2 of the weekend series tomorrow at 1 p.m. MT in Albuquerque. Fans can watch the game live at csurams.com/videos.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pierce, Kaylynn (7-1)
L: McPHERSON (8-6)
Batting:
2B: Hutton, Bridgette 1 ; Pierce, Kaylynn 1
3B: Hutton, Haley 1
HR: McCorkhill, Hannah 1
RBI: Hutton, Haley 1 ; McCorkhill, Hannah 1 ; Gamboa, Corina 1 ; Hutton, Bridgette 4 ; Pierce, Kaylynn 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Hutton, Haley 2 ; McCorkhill, Hannah 1 ; Nelson, Amber 1 ; Buchanan, Lauren 1 ; Kauk, Kirsten 1 ; Arcarese, Taryn 2 ; Kilcrease, Madison 2 ; Pierce, Kaylynn 1 ; Klein, Danni 1
SB: Arcarese, Taryn 1
HBP: Arcarese, Taryn 1 ; Hutton, Bridgette 1 ; Pierce, Kaylynn 2
Batting:
RBI: JOHNSON 1
SH: FRANC 1
Base Running:
RUNS: SMITH, C. 1 ; DeFLORA 1
