COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team had to make a late inning rally in game one and two late inning comebacks in game two to steal the first two games of the four-game set and sweep the double header against the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls.
Inside The Matchup
Final: Game 1: UCCS 2, NMHU 1 | Game 2: UCCS 6, NMHU 5
Records: UCCS (21-21, 19-15 RMAC), NMHU (7-39, 5-29 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions move to 61-50 all-time against the Cowgirls.
How It Happened | Game One
- New Mexico Highlands got off to a quick start scratching across the first run of the game in the top of the first on a Heaven Medina RBI single and gave the Cowgirls the early 1-0 lead. After that both pitchers dominated. After the first run allowed, Braelyne Crenshaw settled in and gave up one hit in the following six frames. Nathalie Blattmann was equally impressive over the first five innings allowing just two hits.
- UCCS finally got one across in the bottom of the sixth inning on frozen rope solo home run by Sawyer Brewster tied the game. The Mountain Lions weren't done in the sixth as they'd scratch across another runner across on a fielder's choice to steal the lead, 2-1.
Stats From The Game | Game One
- Brewster's solo home run was her 13th of the season.
- UCCS outhit NMHU 5-3.
- Crenshaw pitched a complete game allowing one earned run on three hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts.
How It Happened | Game Two
- The first two innings felt like a continuation of last game as both pitchers were locked in early and neither team was able to create anything too threatening despite getting runners on base. In the top of the third inning, NMHU would gain the early 1-0 advantage on an RBI base hit by Samantha Gamboa. UCCS would get two runners on in the bottom half, but nothing to show for it.
- UCCS would tie the game at one in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Bryn Horton to drive in the pinch running Brianna Jennings. The Cowgirls responded in the top of the fifth putting up three runs and gaining the lead 4-1.
- The Mountain Lions would begin their second comeback effort of the game with a solo home run by Peyton Reisman to cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth. Later in the inning, UCCS would get the bases loaded with two outs. Solana Martinez would drive in one run with a single to right field to bring the lead with one. The next batter, Brewster, would poke a two-RBI single to center field and give the team their first lead of the game at 5-4.
- New Mexico Highlands would get the game-tying run in the top of the seventh. It wouldn't matter as Briana Mattos would lace a walk off double to left-center field to drive in the winning run.
Stats From The Game | Game Two
- Mattos' walk off was the team's second walk off this season and her first on the year.
- UCCS outhit NMHU 10-7.
- Mackenzie Rutkoff pitched 4.1 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Gabrielle Cronin came in in relief pitching 2.2 innings allowing one earned run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout.
Beyond The Box Score
- Crenshaw's no walks allowed is the second game this season the team has allowed zero walks.
- Brewster's three RBIs on the afternoon give her a team leading 35 RBIs on the season.
Up Next
- The Mountain Lions will finish the four-game set tomorrow with a double header at Mountain Lion Stadium. First pitch of game one will be at 11 a.m. After the conclusion of the second game, the Mountain Lions will honor their two graduating seniors.
SOCIAL
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
