COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team returned to Mountain Lion Field for the first time in nearly three weeks as they opened up their four-game series against the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. The Mountain Lions were able to honor their two graduating seniors (
Mia Perez and
Maddie Unrein) with sound pitching and hitting performances, as they won both games during Friday's doubleheader.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1: UCCS 4, FLC 2 | Game 2: UCCS 5, FLC 4
Records: UCCS (19-32, 16-26 RMAC), FLC (17-30, 15-23 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions lead the all-time series 30-13 over the Skyhawks.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lion offense got on the board early, as Gianna Pancost started the late inning rally with a two-out walk. Izzy Giroux followed that up with a single to right field, advancing Pancost to third base. Giroux recorded her first stolen base of the season, allowing Pancost to come around to score, giving the Mountain Lions a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
- Autumn Kunze received the starting nod and limited the Skyhawks to just three hits in the first three innings of action. However, two of Fort Lewis' hits came by the way of the long ball. A solo home run in the second and third inning gave Fort Lewis their first lead of the series, 2-1 as we headed into the bottom of the third.
- The Skyhawks' starting pitcher, Amiee Shanks, was dominate after surrendering a first inning run. She allowed just two hits and struck out three UCCS batters during the following three innings of work. After four innings of action, Fort Lewis still held a slim, one run advantage.
- With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Mountain Lion's bats came to life. A single courtesy of Jacqueline Berkowitz advanced senior Maddie Unrein to second base, which brought Pancost back up to the plate. Pancost would rope a two RBI double into the left-center gap, as UCCS regained the lead, 3-2. Giroux kept the momentum, ripping an RBI single into left field, growing the lead to 4-2.
- After a scoreless sixth inning, the Skyhawks attempted to make a final push. A pair of two out singles put pressure on Kunze to shut the door on a potential comeback. Kunze battled to a full count with Kayla Stone, and after barrage of fastballs, threw an off-speed pitch that forced a groundball to Laynee Case at shortstop who stepped on second to end the game.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lion offense was led by their duo of Pancost and Giroux, who combined to go 3-for-4 from the plate, drawing two walks and tallying three RBIs.
- Berkowitz, Jennavieve Goldsworth, Jacquelynn Siefken and Hailey Busshart each tallied one hit in game one.
- Kunze was dominate on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out four batters.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- The Mountain Lions got their bats rolling early in game two of Friday's doubleheader. Senior Mia Perez led off the game with a single up the middle and stole second base on the very next pitch. With two on and two out, Case slapped a single down the right field line, bringing home two runs to score. Goldsworth followed up with a double of her own, putting two more Mountain Lions in scoring position. An error by the Skyhawk's right fielder brought both runs into score, as UCCS took hold of a 4-0 lead after one inning.
- Fort Lewis got on the board in the second inning. A leadoff walk followed by a single put pressure on starting pitcher, Kailey Bond. Natalie Rodman singled through the right side of the infield, cutting the UCCS lead down to 4-1. Bond was not fazed one bit, as she served up an inning ending double play to the following batter.
- Both pitchers settled into the game, as no runs were scored between the third and fifth innings. While Bond allowed multiple base runners, her defense was solid behind her. After five innings of softball, the Mountain Lions maintained their 4-1 advantage.
- The Skyhawks started to gain momentum back in the top of sixth inning. Following a leadoff walk, Kayla Stone launched a two-run home run over the left field fence, cutting their deficit to one run. With a runner on third, Bond's 2-2 pitch got away from her, plating the tying run for Fort Lewis.
- With the game tied, the Mountain Lions needed to find a way to get runner aboard and across to score. Goldsworth walked with one out and stole second base to get herself into scoring position. A Siefken single brought Goldsworth just 60 feet away from taking the lead. Unrein stepped up to the plate and executed a perfect bunt single down the third base line, securing what would be the game winning RBI.
- Caydee Farnworth entered the game in the top of seventh inning for her first save opportunity of the season. Farnworth retired her former team 1-2-3, securing a doubleheader sweep, winning 5-4.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME TWO
- Berkowitz was the offensive catalyst in game two, going 2-for-2 at the plate and scoring one run. Case had a hit of her own, recording two RBI and scoring one run. Six different Mountain Lions recorded a hit.
- Bond was efficient in route to her seventh pitching victory of the season. She allowed four runs, three earned, while striking out one batter. In relief, Farnworth faced the minimum, striking out batter to tally her first save of the season.
- Stone led the Skyhawks offense in game two, tallying their only extra base hit by way of a home run, recording two RBI and walking once.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kunze now has 170 strikeouts in her UCCS career, which is 11 shy of breaking into the top 10 in program history. Lexi Rayburn currently sits at tenth with 181 career strikeouts.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will close their four-game set against the Skyhawks tomorrow with a doubleheader set to begin at 11 a.m. from Mountain Lion Field.
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.
