CSU Battles With One Game Left Against Fresno State

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A fifth win in a row from Fresno State was expected but not guaranteed.

When Colorado State hosted Fresno for a doubleheader on Saturday, the Bulldogs were looking to extend their four-game streak but quickly fell in the first game 7-0, checked on just four hits. However, despite its dominant start, CSU lost the second game 8-3, halving the series before the third game on Sunday.

The catalyst of the opener occurred early in the second inning on a home run from Abby Edwards. The redshirt sophomore got three RBI off the hit which then extended to four runs the following pitches.

"It was awesome," Edwards said. "I definitely needed it for sure. And I think the team needed it. It was just a huge win. They're ranked so high in our conference and (that hit) started the momentum of the first game."

Containing Fresno's pitching was a top priority — and CSU was up to the task.

The Rams' aggressive approach forced Fresno State into three pitching changes over the first seven innings.

"I thought we had a really good plan," coach Jen Fisher said. "I thought we were putting quality at-bats together. But their pitcher has one of the lowest ERA in the conference. So, we can't give them an out on defense because it was going to be tough to score. I still felt pretty confident in how we were seeing the ball and Abby had a great at-bat there at the end."

As for the Rams' pitching, starter Reagan Wick used her expanding repertoire of pitches to confound hitters in the opposing dugout. Fresno, which hits .278 as a team was held to .167 under Wick's helm during the first game.

Coming off a string of losses, the win was needed.

"The first game was satisfying for me especially because of the past couple of weeks," Wick said. "I knew we had to come out confident because this is really important series for us. So, being able to take the first game was really big win. We now know it can be done going into tomorrow."

The consistency from CSU carried to the second game with two runs in the first two innings and a pitcher Giselle Bentley holding the Bulldogs scoreless until the top of the third. The two runs from Fresno were its first of the day tying both teams at 2.

However – in a true snowball effect – Fresno came back with a passion. It was two runs in the fourth, then three an inning later to break open the contest.

Maybe it was the third pitching change for the Rams in Delaney Saugstad or a passionate dugout, but the second game was made by the fourth inning.

"It's definitely disappointing when you don't end the second game like the first," Edwards said. "But I don't think the loss brought us down at all. It showed us that that's their best and it wasn't ours. So, we can show out better."

The doubleheader split leaves everything on the line for the Rams as they chase a postseason berth.

And Fisher knows the stakes.

"We have to win," Fisher said. "It's kind of a do or die situation tomorrow. Because we're trying to jump San Jose State and possibly New Mexico. And it's crazy to me that I feel there's a very small difference between our two teams. They're fighting for first place and we're just fighting to get into the tournament. It had to come down to our kids. We have to show determination and have our studs come to the plate in those big moments."

With the season quickly coming to a close and senior day on the horizon, the team is seeing their capabilities.

After all, they came out with a tie, and building off that momentum is key.

"We know it can be done," Wick said. "Though it didn't happen in the second game, it's okay. Knowing we still have a chance for senior day is awesome."

With a series on the line and senior day looming, the Rams are looking for the upper hand over a top-three team in the league to continue subverting expectations.

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