Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, March 1
Fort Collins, CO
12:00 PM
Colorado State
8-8
6
vs
2
Iowa State
7-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Iowa State
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
7
1
Colorado State
1
0
0
0
0
5
0
6
7
0
Rams Sweep Cyclones to Open Home Slate
3/1/2024 6:22:00 PM | Softball
CSU pitchers get stingy with traffic on the bases
Get 'em on. Get 'em in.
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On Friday afternoon, neither team involved at the season opener at Ram Field had much of a problem with the first part. Host Colorado State was more adept at the important aspect of the phrase, leading to a softball sweep of Iowa State at Ram Field, 6-2 and 5-4Â in the Colorado Classic.
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The Rams used one big, explosive inning in the opener to break open what had been a tight game, then followed up a few crooked numbers in the nightcap to move to 9-8 on the season. They had 16 hits on the day, eight of them for extra bases.
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The Rams only stranded three runners in the first game, primarily because Iowa State starter Aziza Rodriguez wasn't allowing a lot of hard contact. At least not until late, and the Rams also greeted reliever Lauren Schurman with some power.
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In the separating five-run sixth, Peyton Allen broke the ice in a 1-all game with a two-run double, which Danielle Serna backed with a two-run shot to left field. Brooke Bohlender drove in two more with a double of her own.
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A pair of two-run frames in the second game gave the Rams a lead they would eventually have to protect, with Ashley York driving in a pair with a double in the second, for a 3-1 lead. In the fifth, they made it 5-1 when Molly Gates and Bohlender both had RBI hits.
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For a lineup coming off a weekend of facing ranked teams, the outburst felt good.
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"That was really nice. Last weekend was pretty tough, obviously, but I think we held our own and hit pretty well," York said. "I think this week was about fine-tuning a couple of things and knowing we've seen the best of the best and we're ready for anything."
Â
York had three hits on the day from the leadoff spot and scored three runs. Her third of the day came in the first of Game 2, running through a stop sign from coach Jen Fisher and reaching the plate easily. She also drove in a pair, and like the rest of her team, took every chance to take an extra base.
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That ability aids the get 'em in part of the equation.
Â
"I think we have really good speed and really good baserunners. We don't have to hit gaps all the time," York said. "We're fine getting on with a bobble, a little bloop hit, something like that. I think it's something in practice we really pride ourselves on is being as aggressive as we can and being as smart as we can on the basepaths. It's working for our pitcher, because that's our only job is to work for her, make her job easier, and that of the person at-bat, as well."
Iowa State would chip away at the lead against Sydney Hornbuckle with single runs in each of the final three innings of the closing contest, but she only allowed two earned runs. She was one misplaced ball away from her fourth complete game of the season, one she had to battle through as the Cyclones had 10 hits and drew three walks. The last of those passes came with the bases loaded and made it a 5-4 game.
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Enter freshman Reagan Wick, who on two pitches induced a grounder to Serna at first for the final out.
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No pressure.
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"No sir," Wick said with a smile. "None at all."
Â
Fisher had no issue going to the youngster to get the final out to secure the sweep.
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Wick has been impressive early. She had logged 20.1 innings heading into the day, most of it coming on five relief appearances. Bolstering the decision was the fact Wick hasn't backed down in any situation yet.
Â
"Syd wanted to finish that game; she looked good, and everything was there. Sometimes I think you've just got to give the umpire a different look in that situation," Fisher said. "(Wick's) just been nails so far all year. She does her job. She says, 'OK Coach; says Yes, ma'am,' because she's from Texas. She just does her job. She's doing great."
Â
Sporting a 1.08 ERA, Friday was the first save of her career and it came at a time when one hit could have turned the mood sour.
Â
She said the key for her or anybody else is to focus on the out on the plate.
Â
"When runners get on, it's mainly for me trusting my defense, because I know I have a strong defense behind me," Wick said. "It's knowing I'm able to throw my pitches exactly where I need to and know they'll back me up with runners on.
Â
"You do have to have that second sense of yes, I do have a runner on, but I have to have the mentality of I have to go at this batter at this moment. You still have the thought of the runner behind you. I know I have to be able to go at the batter, throw my best pitches so I can get that little blooper of dinky hit for my defense to turn a double play or get that easy out."
Â
Naturally, any coach would prefer less traffic than the Rams allowed on the day – Iowa State had 17 hits and drew eight walks – and a few errors extended innings. What they do like to see is the person in the circle buckle down when a threat looms.
Â
Giselle Bentley, who picked up the win in the opener in relief, was the cleanest of the bunch, allowing just two hits and one walk in four innings. The only blemish was a solo shot in the seventh, but coaches don't mind home runs with nobody on and a five-run advantage.
Â
"They did a great job. I think Nelly played really well over at first, and I think we got the help we needed there," Fisher said. "They're just buckling down. If there is traffic, they're buckling down and going to the next pitch and trying to put the pitch where they're asking for it. I thought there was a high level of execution today on all the pitches, so they got what I consider bad contact quite often. The nice thing too is we had enough run support in there that I felt pretty confident."
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Colorado State will continue tourney play with a Saturday doubleheader against Manhattan College at Ram Field (12 and 3 p.m. starts), then close it Sunday with a third game with Iowa State. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. the final day.
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On Friday afternoon, neither team involved at the season opener at Ram Field had much of a problem with the first part. Host Colorado State was more adept at the important aspect of the phrase, leading to a softball sweep of Iowa State at Ram Field, 6-2 and 5-4Â in the Colorado Classic.
Â
The Rams used one big, explosive inning in the opener to break open what had been a tight game, then followed up a few crooked numbers in the nightcap to move to 9-8 on the season. They had 16 hits on the day, eight of them for extra bases.
Â
The Rams only stranded three runners in the first game, primarily because Iowa State starter Aziza Rodriguez wasn't allowing a lot of hard contact. At least not until late, and the Rams also greeted reliever Lauren Schurman with some power.
Â
In the separating five-run sixth, Peyton Allen broke the ice in a 1-all game with a two-run double, which Danielle Serna backed with a two-run shot to left field. Brooke Bohlender drove in two more with a double of her own.
Â
A pair of two-run frames in the second game gave the Rams a lead they would eventually have to protect, with Ashley York driving in a pair with a double in the second, for a 3-1 lead. In the fifth, they made it 5-1 when Molly Gates and Bohlender both had RBI hits.
Â
For a lineup coming off a weekend of facing ranked teams, the outburst felt good.
Â
"That was really nice. Last weekend was pretty tough, obviously, but I think we held our own and hit pretty well," York said. "I think this week was about fine-tuning a couple of things and knowing we've seen the best of the best and we're ready for anything."
Â
York had three hits on the day from the leadoff spot and scored three runs. Her third of the day came in the first of Game 2, running through a stop sign from coach Jen Fisher and reaching the plate easily. She also drove in a pair, and like the rest of her team, took every chance to take an extra base.
Â
That ability aids the get 'em in part of the equation.
Â
"I think we have really good speed and really good baserunners. We don't have to hit gaps all the time," York said. "We're fine getting on with a bobble, a little bloop hit, something like that. I think it's something in practice we really pride ourselves on is being as aggressive as we can and being as smart as we can on the basepaths. It's working for our pitcher, because that's our only job is to work for her, make her job easier, and that of the person at-bat, as well."
Iowa State would chip away at the lead against Sydney Hornbuckle with single runs in each of the final three innings of the closing contest, but she only allowed two earned runs. She was one misplaced ball away from her fourth complete game of the season, one she had to battle through as the Cyclones had 10 hits and drew three walks. The last of those passes came with the bases loaded and made it a 5-4 game.
Â
Enter freshman Reagan Wick, who on two pitches induced a grounder to Serna at first for the final out.
Â
No pressure.
Â
"No sir," Wick said with a smile. "None at all."
Â
Fisher had no issue going to the youngster to get the final out to secure the sweep.
Â
Wick has been impressive early. She had logged 20.1 innings heading into the day, most of it coming on five relief appearances. Bolstering the decision was the fact Wick hasn't backed down in any situation yet.
Â
"Syd wanted to finish that game; she looked good, and everything was there. Sometimes I think you've just got to give the umpire a different look in that situation," Fisher said. "(Wick's) just been nails so far all year. She does her job. She says, 'OK Coach; says Yes, ma'am,' because she's from Texas. She just does her job. She's doing great."
Â
Sporting a 1.08 ERA, Friday was the first save of her career and it came at a time when one hit could have turned the mood sour.
Â
She said the key for her or anybody else is to focus on the out on the plate.
Â
"When runners get on, it's mainly for me trusting my defense, because I know I have a strong defense behind me," Wick said. "It's knowing I'm able to throw my pitches exactly where I need to and know they'll back me up with runners on.
Â
"You do have to have that second sense of yes, I do have a runner on, but I have to have the mentality of I have to go at this batter at this moment. You still have the thought of the runner behind you. I know I have to be able to go at the batter, throw my best pitches so I can get that little blooper of dinky hit for my defense to turn a double play or get that easy out."
Â
Naturally, any coach would prefer less traffic than the Rams allowed on the day – Iowa State had 17 hits and drew eight walks – and a few errors extended innings. What they do like to see is the person in the circle buckle down when a threat looms.
Â
Giselle Bentley, who picked up the win in the opener in relief, was the cleanest of the bunch, allowing just two hits and one walk in four innings. The only blemish was a solo shot in the seventh, but coaches don't mind home runs with nobody on and a five-run advantage.
Â
"They did a great job. I think Nelly played really well over at first, and I think we got the help we needed there," Fisher said. "They're just buckling down. If there is traffic, they're buckling down and going to the next pitch and trying to put the pitch where they're asking for it. I thought there was a high level of execution today on all the pitches, so they got what I consider bad contact quite often. The nice thing too is we had enough run support in there that I felt pretty confident."
Â
Colorado State will continue tourney play with a Saturday doubleheader against Manhattan College at Ram Field (12 and 3 p.m. starts), then close it Sunday with a third game with Iowa State. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. the final day.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bentley, Giselle (1-1)
L: Rodriguez, Aziza (2-1)
Batting:
2B: Wardlow, Olivia 1
HR: Allen, Angelina 1
RBI: Allen, Angelina 1 ; Wardlow, Olivia 1
SH: Ranches, Alesia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Allen, Angelina 1 ; Johnson, Tatum 1
Batting:
2B: York, Ashley 1 ; Allen, Peyton 2 ; Bohlender, Brooke 1
HR: Serna, Danielle 1
RBI: Allen, Peyton 3 ; Serna, Danielle 2 ; Bohlender, Brooke 1
Base Running:
RUNS: York, Ashley 2 ; Matsubara, Maya 1 ; Allen, Peyton 1 ; Serna, Danielle 1 ; Gates, Molly 1
SB: York, Ashley 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
p/1b
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
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