Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
23-17, 8-10
UNLV
23-20, 6-9
Recap: Rams rebound to shut down UNLV, 5-0
4/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Sophomore Bridgette Hutton pitched a three-hit shutout and the Colorado State defense behind her was stellar as the Rams rebounded to beat UNLV, 5-0, on Sunday at Ram Field.
CSU (23-17, 8-10 MW) avoided the sweep with its strong performance over UNLV (23-20, 6-9) on Sunday.
The first three innings of the game were scoreless, with each team only posting one hit through three frames.
The Rams opened the scoring in the fourth. Madison Kilcrease showcased smart baserunning after drawing a leadoff walk. The junior from Johnstown stole second base and then advanced to third on a fly out, with Amber Nelson due up to hit. The star sophomore ripped an RBI double to left field, scoring Kilcrease. B. Hutton then helped her own cause, singling to center field to drive in Nelson and give the Rams a 2-0 lead.
CSU added to its advantage the following inning. The Rams took advantage of a few UNLV miscues, with Haley Hutton hit by a pitch and Taryn Arcarese reaching on a fielder's choice that resulted in an error at second base, giving the Rams two on with one out. Lauren Buchanan then reached on an error at shortstop, scoring Hutton and putting runners at second and third for the Rams. Hannah McCorkhill took advantage of the pair in scoring position, knocking an RBI single to right field to score Arcarese and pinch runner Kirsten Kauk and put the Rams up 5-0.
B. Hutton was stellar in the circle for CSU, only allowing three hits and two walks to the Rebels. The defense behind her was great as well, with several well-played ground balls handled by McCorkhill, Arcarese, H. Hutton and Corina Gamboa. The pitcher also joined in on the defensive effort, including starting a 1-6-3 double play to end the second inning.
UNLV only had one runner reach second base all game. Mar Kemmer batted a double down the left field line in the sixth, but did not advance further.
IN THEIR WORDS…
"On Friday, I felt like I was really nervous and just not really attacking my zone. Tuesday and today I felt calm and nothing could stand in my way. My mentality was just a lot better on those days." - CSU sophomore pitcher Bridgette Hutton on her mindset in strong outings on Tuesday and Saturday, compared to her start on Friday
"We talked to the ladies about having a lot of pride and knowing the game, as well as trying to keep it simple. You are putting your name out there as a product. You want to show that you are a team that can execute and knows the game. I think they just took a little more pride today in what they were doing. It makes a big difference when the pitching is really rolling like that." - CSU head coach Jen Fisher on the improvements from the team's losses on Friday and Saturday to today
STAT OF THE GAME…
11 - Bridgette Hutton only had one strikeout in her complete game shutout pitching effort, but did force 11 ground ball outs with the help of a fantastic infield performance by her teammates.
NOTES…
- CSU's five runs were scored by five different players - Haley Hutton, Taryn Arcarese, Madison Kilcrease, Kirsten Kauk and Amber Nelson.
- Hannah McCorkhill had a pair of RBI, giving her 32 on the season (second on the team).
- B. Hutton's shutout was her third of the season. Three Rams pitchers (Kaylynn Pierce, Larisa Petakoff and Hutton) have three shutouts each.
NEXT…
CSU will head to Reno to face Nevada for its final road series of the season, April 28-30. The Rams will then return to Ram Field to host the Ram Classic, May 6-7, with Texas Tech and South Dakota participating.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hutton, Bridgette (7-8)
L: BURKE, Breana (3-2)
Batting:
2B: KEMMER, Mara 1
Batting:
2B: Nelson, Amber 1
RBI: McCorkhill, Hannah 2 ; Nelson, Amber 1 ; Hutton, Bridgette 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hutton, Haley 1 ; Arcarese, Taryn 1 ; Kilcrease, Madison 1 ; Kauk, Kirsten 1 ; Nelson, Amber 1
SB: Kilcrease, Madison 1
HBP: Hutton, Haley 1 ; Evans, Hayleigh 1
