LOS LUNAS, N.M. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team used a pair of six-run innings and another stellar pitching performance from senior
Autumn Kunze to power their way to a 12-0 run-rule victory over Sul Ross State University to close out the South Central Regional Crossover tournament on Sunday morning.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 12, SRSU 0 (5 innings)
Records: UCCS (4-1, 0-0 RMAC), SRSU (2-3, 0-0 LSC)
Location: Daniel Fernandez Park – Field 3 | Los Lunas, N.M.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions improve to 3-0 all-time against the Lobos.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Coming off a combined 28 runs scored in Friday afternoon's matchup, the Mountain Lions and Lobos engaged in a much different type of game to start Sunday's clash as UCCS starting pitcher Autumn Kunze and SRSU starting pitcher Larryn Rooks matched one another with three scoreless innings to open the contest.
- In the top of the fourth inning, the Mountain Lions finally found their stroke at the plate, however, as the offense strung together six hits and drew a pair of walks to put a six-spot on the scoreboard. UCCS got two of their first three hitters in the frame on base with a single by Laynee Case and a walk by Addy Baxter putting a pair of runners aboard. After a double steal by Case and Baxter put runners on second and third, Alyssa Gutierrez tapped an infield single to the left side that brought home the first run of the game. The Mountain Lions continued to show their aggressiveness on the basepaths shortly afterwards as Gutierrez and Baxter executed another double steal that saw Baxter swipe home plate for another run.
- Following an infield single by Jennavieve Goldsworth and a walk from Jacqueline Berkowitz, three-hole hitter Mackenzie Scott stepped up to the dish with the bases-loaded and delivered a two-RBI single into center field on the first pitch she saw to push the score to 4-0. Scott's run-scoring hit turned out to be the tipping point for Rooks as Sul Ross State made a call to the bullpen with Addison Castilleja entering the game inside the circle. The Mountain Lions were unbothered by the pitching change as Gianna Pancost and Tayler McCombs greeted Castilleja with back-to-back singles that extended the lead to 5-0 before Case lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to round out the scoring in the inning.
- Now holding a six-run cushion, Kunze made quick work of the Lobos for a scoreless inning in the bottom half of the fourth before UCCS went back to work on the offensive side of the ball in the top of the fifth frame as Baxter and Gutierrez sparked another big output for the Mountain Lions with back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. After a fielder's choice by Goldsworth put runners on first and third, Berkowitz brought home the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to left field that made it 7-0. Following a walk drawn by Scott and an RBI single from Pancost, Katie Steinmetz drew a pinch-hit appearance and laced a two-run double off the center field fence that pushed the UCCS lead to 10-0. Case was the next batter up to the plate and she put an emphatic cap on another six-run inning for the Mountain Lions as she launched a two-run home run over the left field fence for a 12-0 advantage.
- Kunze returned to the rubber for the bottom of the fifth inning and needed just eight pitches to retire the Lobos in order as the Mountain Lions secured a 12-0 run-rule victory.
STATS FROM THE GAME
- The Mountain Lions notched 13 hits and drew eight walks in Sunday's matchup against the Lobos and seven of the team's nine starters recorded at least one hit in the game.
- Gutierrez posted a 3-for-4 line out of the ninth position in the lineup, while Pancost (2-for-3), Case (2-for-4), and Baxter (2-for-3) also registered multi-hit performances.
- Case hit her second home run of the season and led the Mountain Lions with three RBIs with Scott, Pancost, and Steinmetz driving in two runs apiece.
- UCCS was extremely active on the basepaths as six players combined to go a perfect 9-for-9 on stolen base attempts in the game. Goldsworth led the Mountain Lions with three steals, while Baxter swiped two bags and Scott, Pancost, Case, and Gutierrez each stole one.
- Kunze (2-0) pitched a five-inning complete game shutout to earn her second win of the season. The senior hurler made quick work of the Lobos as she allowed just three hits and struck out four hitters while needing just 56 pitches to complete five innings of work.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kunze's complete game shutout was the fifth of her collegiate career and her first since tossing five shutout innings in a run-rule win over Adams State University on April 6, 2024. Kunze pitched a total of four complete game shutouts during the 2024 season, coming against New Mexico Highlands University on Feb. 18, Black Hills State University on Feb. 24, Regis University on March 28, and Adams State on April 6.
- Throughout this weekend's tournament, Kunze made a total of three appearances and surrendered just one earned run across 12.1 innings pitched for a miniscule 0.55 ERA. In that span, she allowed just eight total hits with five walks and 10 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will open their home schedule next weekend as they prepare to host the Southern Colorado Crossover tournament on Feb. 6-8 at 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.
