UCCS Drops First Two Games in Vegas

Western Washington Box Score | Grand Canyon Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Becca Needler finished the opening day of the 2013 Desert Stinger Tournament with three hits as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (4-2-1) dropped games to Western Washington (5-5) and Grand Canyon (7-1) today at Majestic Park in northwest Las Vegas. Jessica Belsterling and Becca Smith split the pitching duties between the two games.

UCCS scored its first run in the bottom of the third inning after Emily Jennings' single to center field drove in Payton Kornfeind from second. Belsterling hit her second home run of the season in the sixth inning to bring the Mountain Lions within four runs, 6-2, going into the final inning.

The Vikings scored three runners in the top of the seventh frame, and the Mountain Lions was able to put Kornfeind into scoring position before a groundout to the pitcher to end the game. UCCS recorded nine hits against Western Washington, only one less than the Vikings.

The Mountain Lions scored first in the second game against Grand Canyon in the top of the fourth inning. Lara Mathewson drew the walk and Jennifer Schellenberg came in to pinch run. She advanced to second after a groundout, and was joined on base by Allie Corids after another walk on a full count. Needler grounded out and advanced both runners into scoring position, and Schellenberg scored after a wild pitch by the Lopes' Kailey Regester.

Grand Canyon, who will be transitioning to the Division I Western Athletic Conference next season, scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning and take the 2-1 lead. Landry Davis reached base for UCCS in the top of the seventh inning after an error by the Lopes' third baseman with two outs, but a strikeout ended the nightcap for both teams.

The UCCS defense's two runs given up were the fewest allowed in a game during the short season. Needler remains in the top five of the conference with a .478 batting average through seven games after she went three-of-six today.

Up Next: The Mountain Lions continue action in the Desert Stinger Tournament with Humboldt State at 5:30 p.m. MST and Western Oregon at 8 p.m. MST. Humboldt went 0-2 earlier today against New Mexico Highlands and Minot State, and Western Oregon dropped its two games today against Metro State and Minot.