UCCS, Fort Hays State Split Sloppy Opening Doubleheader

COLORADO SPRINGS -- Stacy Haney's RBI single in the sixth inning of the first game broke an 8-all tie and lifted the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to a doubleheader split with the Fort hays State Tigers Friday afternoon at Mountain Lion Field.

With immoderate weather keeping the field unplayable, Friday was the first time this season that the Mountain Lions had been able to see live pitching or pitch against real hitters. It was also the first time that they were able to take infield on a dirt playing surface, having been limited to a couple of practices on UCCS' artificial-turf soccer field and many practices in the gym.

The rust, particularly for the pitchers, showed. The Mountain Lions built big leads in both games only to give up a monster inning. Also testifying to the rust was that the teams combined for 11 errors.

In Game 1, UCCS led 8-2 before the Tigers put together a six-run fifth. Stacy Ortiz threw two scoreless innings of relief for the win and Haney's drive gave UCCS the lead, and the win, back.

But the Mountain Lions would make no such recovery in the nightcap. Leading 6-1, Fort Hays State logged a six-run sixth to take the lead before adding three more in the seventh.

After allowing a run in the top of the first in Game 1, UCCS quickly loaded the bases with one out. Jordan drew an RBI walk and Tasha Pagdilao followed with a grand slam to make it 5-1.

A solo home run by Hallie McMillen cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the third. UCCS answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning thanks largely to three Tigers errors.

After Fort Hays State's big fifth inning, Haney drove home Brianna Workman with a single to center.

The Mountain Lions stuck again in the first inning in the nightcap. Rachel Hancock walked and Haney singled before Sarah Cleland belted a three-run homer to left center.

Fort Hays State's Jessika Anastos hit a solo shot in the third, but UCCS answered in the fourth. After Hancock doubled, Workman dropped a but single that Anastos, the Tigers' catcher, then airmailed down the left field line, allowing both Hancock and Workman to score. Haney followed with a single, stole second and scored on another fort Hays State error.

The Mountain Lions stole five bases in each game.

Workman finished the day 4-for-5 with two walks and three runs scored. Haney was 3-for-6 and Cleland was 3-for-7.