Colorado State University Athletics
Sunday, March 17
Las Vegas, NV
11 AM
Colorado State
18-8, 0
9
at
2
UNLV
15-9, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 1 |
| UNLV | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Rams Split Mountain West Opening Doubleheader
3/17/2024 4:14:00 PM | Softball
Colorado State takes game one over UNLV before dropping game two
LAS VEGAS – The Colorado State softball team will begin the conference season 1-1 after splitting the Sunday doubleheader against UNLV, winning game one 9-2 and falling in game two 5-4.
Â
The home run ball led the Rams to a game one victory as Danielle Serna got the scoring started for the Rams with a two-run home run to left center scoring herself and Maya Matsubara who reached on a double in her first at-bat.
Â
The Rebels responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning off Rams starter Sydney Hornbuckle, but that inning would be the only time UNLV was able to score off Hornbuckle who finished the day with the win, three strikeouts and only allowing six hits in 29 batters faced.
Â
After UNLV tied the game, the Rams came back in the top of the second inning and broke the game open. The second hit of the day for Matsubara was a single up the middle that scored both Morgan Coleman and Katelyn Hornbuckle who was pinch running for her sister, Sydney. Serna then tallied her third RBI of the day, reaching on a fielder's choice which scored Ashley York from third base while Matsubara scored on an error within the play to take a 6-2 lead for Colorado State.
Â
In the fourth inning, Matsubara totaled her third hit of the day, and it was Colorado State's second home run as the senior hit a solo shot to right center to extend the lead to five. Allen scored York again in the next inning with an RBI double, putting the score at 8-2 after five.
Â
The third home run of the game and dagger to extend the Rams' win streak to 11 games was a no-doubter off the bat of Molly Gates as the senior hit her third of the year deep to right field, leading Colorado State to a 9-2 victory.
Â
In game two, the Rams offense was held to a slower start by UNLV starting pitcher Alanna Thiede.
Â
Colorado State was held scoreless through four innings without any hits and only four base runners via a walk or hit-by-pitch. The Rebels took an early lead with a run in the first inning and two runs in the third inning.
Â
In the fifth, the Rams reached the top of the order for the third time of the game and was able to make key adjustments against Thiede. A veteran top of the order for the Rams drew bases loaded with a walk issued to Coleman and York, and Matsubara notching the first hit of the game for Colorado State.
Â
Enter Peyton Allen. Allen, who hit her first career grand slam two weeks ago during the Colorado Classic, and then hit another last weekend at the Rams Invitational, notched her third career grand slam and third grand slam in the last three weeks to clear the bases and give the Rams a 4-3 lead by the end of the top of the fifth inning.
Â
Despite the late momentum from the Rams, the Rebels were not willing to sacrifice another loss on their home field, notching two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and holding the Rams on offense. UNLV won game two 5-4.
Â
Matsubara finished the day going 5-7 with two walks drawn while Allen totaled four RBI and Serna followed close behind with three.
Â
The Rams will return to Fort Collins for their second weekend of conference play as Colorado State hosts Nevada March 22-24.
Â
Â
The home run ball led the Rams to a game one victory as Danielle Serna got the scoring started for the Rams with a two-run home run to left center scoring herself and Maya Matsubara who reached on a double in her first at-bat.
Â
The Rebels responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning off Rams starter Sydney Hornbuckle, but that inning would be the only time UNLV was able to score off Hornbuckle who finished the day with the win, three strikeouts and only allowing six hits in 29 batters faced.
Â
After UNLV tied the game, the Rams came back in the top of the second inning and broke the game open. The second hit of the day for Matsubara was a single up the middle that scored both Morgan Coleman and Katelyn Hornbuckle who was pinch running for her sister, Sydney. Serna then tallied her third RBI of the day, reaching on a fielder's choice which scored Ashley York from third base while Matsubara scored on an error within the play to take a 6-2 lead for Colorado State.
Â
In the fourth inning, Matsubara totaled her third hit of the day, and it was Colorado State's second home run as the senior hit a solo shot to right center to extend the lead to five. Allen scored York again in the next inning with an RBI double, putting the score at 8-2 after five.
Â
The third home run of the game and dagger to extend the Rams' win streak to 11 games was a no-doubter off the bat of Molly Gates as the senior hit her third of the year deep to right field, leading Colorado State to a 9-2 victory.
Â
In game two, the Rams offense was held to a slower start by UNLV starting pitcher Alanna Thiede.
Â
Colorado State was held scoreless through four innings without any hits and only four base runners via a walk or hit-by-pitch. The Rebels took an early lead with a run in the first inning and two runs in the third inning.
Â
In the fifth, the Rams reached the top of the order for the third time of the game and was able to make key adjustments against Thiede. A veteran top of the order for the Rams drew bases loaded with a walk issued to Coleman and York, and Matsubara notching the first hit of the game for Colorado State.
Â
Enter Peyton Allen. Allen, who hit her first career grand slam two weeks ago during the Colorado Classic, and then hit another last weekend at the Rams Invitational, notched her third career grand slam and third grand slam in the last three weeks to clear the bases and give the Rams a 4-3 lead by the end of the top of the fifth inning.
Â
Despite the late momentum from the Rams, the Rebels were not willing to sacrifice another loss on their home field, notching two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and holding the Rams on offense. UNLV won game two 5-4.
Â
Matsubara finished the day going 5-7 with two walks drawn while Allen totaled four RBI and Serna followed close behind with three.
Â
The Rams will return to Fort Collins for their second weekend of conference play as Colorado State hosts Nevada March 22-24.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hornbuckle, Sydney (8-3)
L: THIEDE, A. (9-2)
Batting:
2B: Matsubara, Maya 1 ; Allen, Peyton 1
HR: Matsubara, Maya 1 ; Serna, Danielle 1 ; Gates, Molly 1
RBI: Matsubara, Maya 3 ; Allen, Peyton 1 ; Serna, Danielle 3 ; Gates, Molly 1
Base Running:
RUNS: York, Ashley 2 ; Matsubara, Maya 3 ; Serna, Danielle 1 ; Gates, Molly 1 ; Hornbuckle, Katelyn 1 ; Coleman, Morgan 1
SB: Hornbuckle, Katelyn 1
HBP: Gates, Molly 1
Batting:
2B: MARTINEZ, A. 1
RBI: TREJO, A. 1 ; FARRELL, J. 1
SH: MORALES, S. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MARTIN, Jan. 1 ; MARTINEZ, A. 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
3
H
3
RBI
3
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballColorado State Softball: Highlights vs. San Jose State
Sunday, April 21
Colorado State Softball: Highlights vs. New Mexico
Sunday, April 07
Colorado State Softball: Highlights vs. San Jose State Game Two
Saturday, March 26
RamWire: Coach Fisher One-On-One
Tuesday, May 14