LAKEWOOD, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball was toppled in both games of the doubleheader today as Colorado Christian University had their way defensively, winning game one by a score of 5-3 before claiming a 13-0 run-rule victory in game two.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1: CCU 5, UCCS 3 | Game 2: CCU 13, UCCS 0 (5 innings)
Records: UCCS (7-7, 2-3) , CCU (10-6, 6-0)
Location: All Star Park | Lakewood, Colo.
All-Time Series: CCU leads the all-time series 25-14 after today's games.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- After a quick popout, an error from the left fielder sent the Mountain Lion's Jacqueline Berkowitz to second after she was able to advance on the bobbled ball. Gianna Pancost would hit a sacrifice fly to right field advancing Berkowitz to third base. With two outs, it was Katie Steinmetz who poked a single through to score Berkowitz making it 1-0 UCCS. Starting pitcher Autumn Kunze gave up a bunt to the leadoff batter but instantly turned two to settle in. Another groundout had them headed to the top of the second up one.
- The second brought no more runs for UCCS as they had three of their first four batters retired. As for CCU, they found some success after a Leah Garcia single and a Danae Lopez homer giving them a 2-1 lead headed to the third.
- The Mountain Lions were met with three up-three down in the top of the third which brought CCU back to the plate with a chance to extend their lead. Kunze inside the circle for UCCS got out of a tricky situation in the bottom half when runners were on the corners with just one out. Two forced popouts halted the runners and kept the game at 2-1 CCU.
- In the fourth, UCCS was stopped once again at the plate with little offensive momentum on their side. It was in the bottom half that CCU would decide to extend their lead thanks to some nice baserunning from the runner on second who scored on a double into the right center gap. The score would be 3-1 CCU headed into the fifth where UCCS would look to chop at the lead.
- The defensive dominance for CCU would continue as a quick top of the fifth took them back to the plate, still with their two run lead. As for the bottom of the inning, Kunze would be subbed for Kailey Bond and runs would still find their way in. A walk and a double would put runners on second and third. Another double would easily score two making it 5-1 CCU, a four-run deficit for UCCS, who looked to pounce in the sixth.
- UCCS took advantage of some opportunities in the top of the sixth. They managed to put runners on first and second with one out when a massive double was hit by Halley Redd. This scored one and kept runners on second and third. The next batter, a fly ball would score one and keep one at second while the batter, Jennavieve Goldsworth was out with an RBI sacrifice fly. The top of the sixth would end on a groundout two batters later, but not before they had cut the lead in half. They would go on to get out of the bottom of the sixth exactly when they needed it most, sending the game to the top of the seventh with 2 runs being the minimum required to keep the game going.
- Unfortunately, little action occurred in the top of the seventh with the only runner being a walk with two outs. CCU would hold on to win 5-3.
STATS FROM GAME ONE
- Steinmetz paced the Mountain Lions at the plate with one RBI off two hits as well as drawing two more walks for the team.
- CCU led the game with nine hits to UCCS' seven while both teams had two walks.
- It was Danae Lopez who was the difference maker with a home run in one of her at bats. This brought in two total runs that proved to be quite important.
- Hanna Espinoza grabs the win for CCU and moves to (1-1), while UCCS pitcher Autumn Kunze is responsible for the loss moving to (2-3).
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- UCCS opened up the game with three up-three down in the top of the first thanks to some stellar defensive work from the Cougars. The bottom half was much of the same with the only baserunner coming on a hit by pitch with two outs.
- The game was 0-0 as the top of the second began and as it ended. The Mountain Lions managed a hit and another baserunner but couldn't get anyone to cross home plate. As the bottom half of the inning came and went, the defensive stalemate remained and 0-0 was the score into the third.
- The Mountain Lion bats continued to struggle in the third frame meanwhile CCU was able to break the floodgates open with five runs of their own. This flurry of runs was thanks to a three-run moonshot from Rachel Williams, a solo-homer from Leah Garcia, and a handy RBI single from Mia Stankiewicz. The score was 5-0 headed to the fourth.
- A walk from Laynee Case and a single by Redd wasn't enough to overcome a couple of weak popouts and sent the Mountain Lions back to the field still down five. The game was all but put to rest in the bottom half of the fourth as CCU tacked on eight more runs making it 13-0. Only one home run was given up, but the base hits just kept ringing making the top of the fifth more important than ever for UCCS.
- The game was over quickly after the change of sides as Bailey Olerich singled, but the next three batters were retired to end the game 13-0 with CCU on top of a five inning run-rule win.
STATS FROM GAME TWO
- Emma Duncan picks up the win for CCU moving to (3-2) on the year, while Hannah Hunt is charged with her first loss of the year to put her at (5-1).
- CCU scored all 13 of their runs just in two innings with their burst of power coming all at once.
- Duncan pitched a gem of a complete game shutout allowing only three hits and three walks.
- 3 home runs propelled CCU to victory while all 13 runs were batted in in an impressive offensive showing.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Duncan is finding her stride as RMAC play ramps up allowing only one earned run over her last 16 innings pitched.
- That was tied for CCU's second best offensive showing of the year with 13 runs in five innings of action.
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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.
