Colorado State University Athletics
Sunday, February 12
Las Cruces, NM
10:00 AM
Colorado State
8
vs
9
Bradley
Rams Fall to Bradley in Final Game of Opening Weekend
2/12/2023 2:23:00 PM | Softball
Smith and Gates both homer in 9-8 walk-off
LAS CRUCES N.M. – Finishing out its opening weekend at the New Mexico State Invitational, the Colorado State Softball team fell to Bradley in its weekend finale, 9-8.
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While the Rams offense continued to produce in big ways Sunday morning, a five-run seventh innings from the Braves was enough to walk-off Colorado State on neutral ground to send the Rams back home with a 3-2 record in their first tournament of the season.
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Colorado State was the first to score once again in this matchup as jumping out to an early lead has been a theme during opening weekend for the Rams. Junior Hailey Smith was the big hitter for the Rams Sunday as she kicked off the scoring with a double down the left field line in the top of the second to score Danielle Serna who reached on a hit-by-pitch. Smith would end the day 2-4 at the plate with her other hit coming as a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning. The Rams scored three total runs in the second frame.
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Another key provider on offense throughout the whole weekend has been sophomore transfer Molly Gates. With the Rams trailing 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning, Gates hit the game-tying home run to lead off the sixth, her second of the season. She would finish the day going 3-4 with three RBI's and finish the weekend hitting at a .556 batting average with 10 total hits in 18 at bats.
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Adding two more runs on top of Gates homer in the sixth off the bats of Serna and Kaitlyn Cook, the Rams scored an extra insurance run in the seventh off the bat of Peyton Allen. Nonetheless, a Colorado State error followed by five batters in a row able to reach base for Bradley resulted in a walk-off victory for the Braves.
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Overall, the Rams will lead Las Cruces with a winning record and set their eyes on the Cal Baptist Classic next weekend. Colorado State will kick off the tournament against California State – Northridge at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rams will also face the likes of Cal Baptist and Pacific before competing in two bracket games to close the tournament.
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While the Rams offense continued to produce in big ways Sunday morning, a five-run seventh innings from the Braves was enough to walk-off Colorado State on neutral ground to send the Rams back home with a 3-2 record in their first tournament of the season.
Â
Colorado State was the first to score once again in this matchup as jumping out to an early lead has been a theme during opening weekend for the Rams. Junior Hailey Smith was the big hitter for the Rams Sunday as she kicked off the scoring with a double down the left field line in the top of the second to score Danielle Serna who reached on a hit-by-pitch. Smith would end the day 2-4 at the plate with her other hit coming as a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning. The Rams scored three total runs in the second frame.
Â
Another key provider on offense throughout the whole weekend has been sophomore transfer Molly Gates. With the Rams trailing 4-3 in the top of the sixth inning, Gates hit the game-tying home run to lead off the sixth, her second of the season. She would finish the day going 3-4 with three RBI's and finish the weekend hitting at a .556 batting average with 10 total hits in 18 at bats.
Â
Adding two more runs on top of Gates homer in the sixth off the bats of Serna and Kaitlyn Cook, the Rams scored an extra insurance run in the seventh off the bat of Peyton Allen. Nonetheless, a Colorado State error followed by five batters in a row able to reach base for Bradley resulted in a walk-off victory for the Braves.
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Overall, the Rams will lead Las Cruces with a winning record and set their eyes on the Cal Baptist Classic next weekend. Colorado State will kick off the tournament against California State – Northridge at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rams will also face the likes of Cal Baptist and Pacific before competing in two bracket games to close the tournament.
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Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
OF
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