Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, February 28
Fort Collins, CO
12:00 PM
Colorado State
5-11
0
vs
1
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
6-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Texas A&M CC
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
4
0
Colorado State
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
Rams Open Weekend With Split
2/28/2025 5:46:00 PM | Softball
English delivers four hits in doubleheader
When a program is going through a restructuring, it has to lean on the good and be resilient through the challenges. It is the way of life for Jen Fisher's softball program this year after a senior-laden squad graduated with the bulk of the innings thrown and offense delivered.
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Colorado State had much to like about Friday's home-opening set with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi but also came away with a tinge of frustration after splitting a pair at Ram Field while allowing just one run in the set. The Rams dropped the opener 1-0, bouncing back with a 4-0 decision in the nightcap.
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"I'm proud of the pitching performance we had," Fisher said. "Their right fielder made a great catch (in the first game), and we had a couple of opportunities. It was pretty good softball on both sides. They just happened to execute on a changeup that found a hole. That's just how it goes."
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Each team only scored in one of the 14 innings played, which was all it took. Colorado State outhit the Islanders in both games, as each team struggled to take advantage of the moments to break out.
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For a Rams lineup heavy with players trying to get their careers jumpstarted, all it takes is a few good at-bats to create some momentum. True freshman Autumn Rutherford came out of the gates hot in the lead-off spot, a nice compliment and set up to the experienced bats behind her wielded by Brooke Bohlender and Jailey Wilson.
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Random hits don't create big innings, stringing hits together does, which is exactly what sophomore Kaylnn English did throughout the day. She was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, reaching base all six appearances by drawing a walk in each contest.
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"She just kept rolling. She's a really good ball player," Fisher said. "She'll play anywhere, and she's really unselfish. Those are big shoes to fill for our middle infielders because of the leadership of Maya (Matsubara) and Peyton (Allen). Kay's learning the game and learning at a rapid rate. She also had a couple of nice reads and got couple of extra bases, which I like to see."
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Already hitting better than .300 at the bottom of the order, Fisher bumped her to second in the finale, where she delivered a two-run single to break open the game with her first career RBI. That made it a 3-0 lead in the fourth for CSU after Morgan Coleman had broken the ice with a run-scoring single, then English put the cap on the frame scoring from third at the back end of a steal.
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Every little thing helps – she has hits against No. 1 Texas and No. 20 Stanford -- but a jolt of confidence from the coach is particularly nice.
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"Definitely. She just told me, 'you're hitting second,' and I said, 'alright,'" English said. "It was a confidence booster for myself, and then to show my team I can produce in the two-hole was nice too. Hitting behind Autumn, we've played competitive ball together, so we have good chemistry. When she gets on, I know I can move her."
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Timely hitting is what the Rams will need more as the season progresses, the idea being as the youngsters gain experience, the chances to break out during an inning will come more often.
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While the lineup is looking to produce, so too as Giselle Bentley entering the day. She struggled in the circle the first couple of weekends, and she figured coming home was the best way to right the ship.
Â
Regan Wick has thrown well all year, but the one run she gave up in the seventh of the opener spoiled a strong outing. Bentley's start was rough – the Islanders loaded the bases – but she came out unscathed.
Â
"It felt good getting a win my first home start. Throughout practice, I've really been focusing on hitting my spots and working ahead, throwing first-pitch strikes and winning counts more often," she said. "That's what I was thinking before the game, but I tried to keep my mindset consistent.
Â
"The first inning was rough. I was just telling myself, these hitters can't beat you, so don't let them beat you. If they get a hit, make them earn it. I was talking to Carolina (Buffaloe), my catcher, and telling her I wanted to attack the zone."
Â
She did, producing four 1-2-3 innings the rest of the way.
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It was uplifting for her, as well as for her coach in the dugout.
Â
"I think it was, and the defense really helped her in the first inning. They felt comfortable," Fisher said. "It didn't seem they were nervous, even when the bases were loaded. I'm really proud of her for getting through that. It gave us a big lift, and it was pretty smooth after that."
Â
The Rams, now 6-11 on the season, will take smooth whenever they can. Because with youth, there will be some rough patches. But two strong efforts in the circle on Friday makes it easier to come back Saturday and do it all again.
Â
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Colorado State had much to like about Friday's home-opening set with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi but also came away with a tinge of frustration after splitting a pair at Ram Field while allowing just one run in the set. The Rams dropped the opener 1-0, bouncing back with a 4-0 decision in the nightcap.
Â
"I'm proud of the pitching performance we had," Fisher said. "Their right fielder made a great catch (in the first game), and we had a couple of opportunities. It was pretty good softball on both sides. They just happened to execute on a changeup that found a hole. That's just how it goes."
Â
Each team only scored in one of the 14 innings played, which was all it took. Colorado State outhit the Islanders in both games, as each team struggled to take advantage of the moments to break out.
Â
For a Rams lineup heavy with players trying to get their careers jumpstarted, all it takes is a few good at-bats to create some momentum. True freshman Autumn Rutherford came out of the gates hot in the lead-off spot, a nice compliment and set up to the experienced bats behind her wielded by Brooke Bohlender and Jailey Wilson.
Â
Random hits don't create big innings, stringing hits together does, which is exactly what sophomore Kaylnn English did throughout the day. She was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, reaching base all six appearances by drawing a walk in each contest.
Â
"She just kept rolling. She's a really good ball player," Fisher said. "She'll play anywhere, and she's really unselfish. Those are big shoes to fill for our middle infielders because of the leadership of Maya (Matsubara) and Peyton (Allen). Kay's learning the game and learning at a rapid rate. She also had a couple of nice reads and got couple of extra bases, which I like to see."
Â
Already hitting better than .300 at the bottom of the order, Fisher bumped her to second in the finale, where she delivered a two-run single to break open the game with her first career RBI. That made it a 3-0 lead in the fourth for CSU after Morgan Coleman had broken the ice with a run-scoring single, then English put the cap on the frame scoring from third at the back end of a steal.
Â
Every little thing helps – she has hits against No. 1 Texas and No. 20 Stanford -- but a jolt of confidence from the coach is particularly nice.
Â
"Definitely. She just told me, 'you're hitting second,' and I said, 'alright,'" English said. "It was a confidence booster for myself, and then to show my team I can produce in the two-hole was nice too. Hitting behind Autumn, we've played competitive ball together, so we have good chemistry. When she gets on, I know I can move her."
Â
Timely hitting is what the Rams will need more as the season progresses, the idea being as the youngsters gain experience, the chances to break out during an inning will come more often.
Â
While the lineup is looking to produce, so too as Giselle Bentley entering the day. She struggled in the circle the first couple of weekends, and she figured coming home was the best way to right the ship.
Â
Regan Wick has thrown well all year, but the one run she gave up in the seventh of the opener spoiled a strong outing. Bentley's start was rough – the Islanders loaded the bases – but she came out unscathed.
Â
"It felt good getting a win my first home start. Throughout practice, I've really been focusing on hitting my spots and working ahead, throwing first-pitch strikes and winning counts more often," she said. "That's what I was thinking before the game, but I tried to keep my mindset consistent.
Â
"The first inning was rough. I was just telling myself, these hitters can't beat you, so don't let them beat you. If they get a hit, make them earn it. I was talking to Carolina (Buffaloe), my catcher, and telling her I wanted to attack the zone."
Â
She did, producing four 1-2-3 innings the rest of the way.
Â
It was uplifting for her, as well as for her coach in the dugout.
Â
"I think it was, and the defense really helped her in the first inning. They felt comfortable," Fisher said. "It didn't seem they were nervous, even when the bases were loaded. I'm really proud of her for getting through that. It gave us a big lift, and it was pretty smooth after that."
Â
The Rams, now 6-11 on the season, will take smooth whenever they can. Because with youth, there will be some rough patches. But two strong efforts in the circle on Friday makes it easier to come back Saturday and do it all again.
Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Winfrey, Kendra (2-2)
L: Wick, Reagan (4-3)
Batting:
2B: Baez, Paolina 1
RBI: Espinoza, Madison 1
SH: Montilla, Monee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Welker, Ripley 1
SB: Garcia, Natalie 1 ; Lopez, Karisa 1
Base Running:
SB: English, Kaylynn 2
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
INF
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