LOS LUNAS, N.M. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team took on Simon Fraser University in the final day of the South Central Regional Crossover tournament as they defeated SFU 7-4, going 2-2 in the tournament overall.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 7, SFU 4
Records: UCCS (2-2, 0-0 RMAC), SFU (1-4, 0-0 GNAC)
Location: Los Lunas Sports Complex – Field 2 | Los Lunas, N.M.
All-Time Series: This was only the second matchup all-time between these two programs as UCCS moves to 2-0 against Simon Fraser. Their last meeting came on Feb. 13, 2015, when the Mountain Lions beat the Red Leafs 11-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a slow start for the Mountain Lions on Sunday morning after two consecutive three up, and three down innings. Simon Fraser would get the scoring started, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
- The top of third inning saw UCCS' bats come alive as Izzy Giroux got them started with a base hit up the middle followed by a double from Maddie Unrein in the right center field gap, scoring Giroux from first. Alyssa Gutierrez immediately followed with a double of her own in the left center gap that would easily score Unrein and give the Mountain Lions a 2-1 lead.
- UCCS wasn't done scoring in the top of the third as Jennavieve Goldsworth singled home Gutierrez after she swiped third base giving the Mountain Lions a 3-1 lead and momentum of the game. Autumn Kunze kept SFU hitters modest as she shut them down in the bottom of the third.
- UCCS threatened to score again in the top of the fourth but ended up leaving two on base. SFU would grab a run in the next half inning but that's all they would get as Kunze got herself out of a jam. The Mountain Lions would head into the fifth carrying a 3-2 advantage.
- The top of the fifth saw another outburst of scoring from UCCS as Goldsworth scored Unrein on a base hit, while Laynee Case would drive in Gianna Pancost and Gutierrez on a single to right. Then with the bases loaded, Giroux would draw a walk to score Hailey Busshart as the Mountain Lions gained a 7-2 vantage going into the bottom of the fifth.
- The Red Leafs would keep things close as they put up two runs in the next half inning while then preventing UCCS from scoring in the top of the sixth. Kunze got through the sixth inning scoreless while leaving a runner on third.
- UCCS had an opportunity to grow their lead in the top of the seventh with runners on first and third with one out, but would lineout to right field, then get caught trying to take home on a pass ball. The Mountain Lions would then look to close the game out in the bottom of the seventh.
- After recording an out to open the bottom of the seventh, Kunze would run into a little trouble as she allowed SFU to reach first and second with a pair of base hits. Kunze would lock-in and finish what she started as she struck out the next batter looking, which was then followed by a groundout to first base for the final out to complete the 7-4 victory.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- Autumn Kunze had an impressive outing Sunday as the sophomore threw a complete game while allowing only four earned runs. Along with striking out three batters and allowing zero walks, Kunze let her infield work as she forced Simon Fraser hitters to groundout 12 times.
- UCCS collected 10 hits Sunday morning as Goldsworth and Unrein led the way recording two each.
- Goldsworth put together a real solid game as she went 2-for-4 with a pair of base knocks and two RBIs. Case came up big with her lone hit of the morning as it drove in two runs in the pivotal top of the fifth inning.
- The Mountain Lions were active on the base paths as Gutierrez swiped two bags, while Pancost and Case each recorded a stolen base as well.
- UCCS was patient and disciplined in the box today as they drew five walks while only striking out three times.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kunze has now started her season with back-to-back complete game victories as she opened the Mountain Lions season with a complete game effort in the first contest of the South Central Regional Crossover tournament in a 7-1 win over the University of Texas Permian Basin. Kunze is now 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA, and eight strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will now head to Canyon, TX. to compete in the West Texas A&M Invitational starting on Friday, Feb. 9, at WTAMU Schaeffer Park. Their first game will be against Eastern New Mexico University with the first pitch set to be at 2:45 p.m. (MT).
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
