COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team were held down in game one of today's double-header as Colorado School of Mines won 9-1 in five innings. Game two saw a better offensive attack from UCCS but a similar result as they lost 11-5.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1: UCCS 1, CSM 5 (5 Innings) | Game 2: UCCS 5, CSM 11
Records: UCCS (15-30, 12-24 RMAC), CSM (24-18, 20-14 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: Despite the series sweep, the Mountain Lions still hold a 70-63-1 advantage over the Orediggers all-time.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- After UCCS was set down in order to lead off the game, CSM got their day started with a pair of runs to lead 2-0 after the first inning. In the top of the second, Jennavieve Goldsworth got the Mountain Lions in the hit column from an infield single to the short stop, but UCCS couldn't get her across.
- Mines scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning off two errors and held a 5-0 lead heading into the third. Starter Autumn Kunze settled in for the third inning and UCCS got themselves on the board after Laynee Case tripled in Gianna Pancost to decrease their deficit to four (5-1) to go into the bottom half of the fourth.
- Kunze set the Orediggers down in order again in the fourth, but UCCS couldn't scratch across a run in the top of the fifth. Mines right fielder Cassidy Chvatal then hit a three-run home run to end this one in five innings and CSM would win game one 9-1.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lions only recorded three hits in game one with those coming from Pancost (double), Case (triple), and Goldsworth (single).
- The lone run for UCCS was scored by Pancost in the fourth inning.
- Kunze falls to 8-10 on the season after throwing 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits, nine runs (five earned), a walk, and four strikeouts.
- Mines starting pitcher Sadriena Rodriguez improves to 15-6 on the year after throwing five innings, allowing three hits, one run, and striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- Alyssa Gutierrez led off game two with a triple down the right field line, but the Mountain Lions failed to drive her in, leaving her stranded at third. Mines grabbed an early lead after short stop Sydney Wilson doubled in leadoff hitter Kellan Ton to make it 1-0. Third basewomen Sara Larson then doubled to left field to score Wilson putting Mines up 2-0.
- UCCS made noise in the top of the second inning as Izzy Giroux doubled down the left field line to score Jennavieve Goldsworth. Hailey Busshart followed this by crushing a two-run homer over the center field wall to go up 3-2.
- The Orediggers responded to this big inning with haymakers of their own as they put up three runs on four hits to reclaim a 5-3 lead.
- The top of the third saw Gianna Pancost double to left center and come across home-plate after a Jacquelynn Siefken single up the middle to make it a one-run game (5-4). In the bottom half of the inning, Cassidy Chvatal hit her second home run of the day to push the CSM lead to 6-4.
- UCCS went quietly in the top of the fourth as did the Orediggers in their half. The fifth inning saw Pancost and Siefken draw back-to-back walks with no outs, but UCCS could not move them from first and second base.
- Mines provided themselves more insurance in the fifth inning as they scored five runs on five hits and two errors and would lead 11-4 going into the sixth. UCCS added one run in top if the sixth off of a Pancost sacrifice flyout to score Busshart but the Mountain Lions would be down to their last three outs.
- With a 11-5 lead in the top of the seventh, Mines forced the Mountain Lions to three straight outs to hold on and complete the series sweep.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME TWO
- Leading the way for the Mountain Lions offensively was Busshart who was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, two runs scored, a home run, and a walk.
- Gutierrez had a nice performance in game two as she collected two hits in four at bats including a triple.
- Even in the loss, the Mountain Lions struck out more batters then the Orediggers (9-1).
- UCCS starting pitcher Caydee Farnworth only pitched 1.2 innings after allowing five earned runs. Farnsworth did strikeout four batters but falls to 1-8 on the season.
- Kailey Bond came in for relief early and threw 3.1 innings allowing only two earned runs while striking out three batters.
- Mines pitcher Allison Westbrook improves to 5-3 on the season after throwing 5.2 innings in relief.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With hits in both games in today's double-header, Gianna Pancost increases her hitting streak to nine games which is the longest hitting streak for any Mountain Lion this season. Pancost passes Jennavieve Goldsworth after she collected an eight-game hitting streak from Feb. 19 through Mar. 2.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions look to bounce back as they head to Pueblo next weekend to take on Colorado State Pueblo. Game one is slated to begin at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 19.
SOCIAL
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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.
